ICC WTC 2021-23, AUS vs IND: Best combined XI of the final

Australia won the Final of ICC WTC 2021-23 by 209 runs to add the ninth ICC trophy to their cabinet.

After two years of competitive Test cricket, India and Australia made it to the final of the World Test Championship 2023 (ICC WTC 2023), which was held at the Oval. It ended in favour of Pat Cummins and his team and India ended as runners-up. Without a doubt, Australia were better in both departments of the game, which helped them register a 209-run thrashing win over the Indians in the ICC WTC final. There were some Australian players who performed exceptionally well, while some Indians also delivered decent performances.

Hence, we pick the best XI of the ICC WTC 2021-23, including top performers from both teams:

1. David Warner

David Warner got out for just 1 run in the first inning, but his positive start in the first inning assured Australia would be dominating on Day 1. He scored 43 off 60 balls, with eight fours, which set the platform, and Steven Smith and Travis Head added a huge partnership. Warner struggled in the BGT series in India but looked good in the ICC WTC final 2023.

2. Rohit Sharma

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma entered the ICC WTC final out of form, but he had two decent starts in both innings against Australia. He scored 15 and 43 in two innings. Especially in the second inning, he gave India a quick start and gave some hope to the team for a chase. But he got out while playing a rash shot. Though India ended as runners-up, Rohit looked in control most of the time.

3. Marnus Labuschagne

No. 1 ranked Test batter Marnus Labuschagne also had a quiet effect in the final against India. He scored 26 runs in the first inning and added a 69-run stand with Warner. Then, in the second inning, he was the second-highest scorer for the team and made 41 when Australia were losing wickets at the start.

4. Steve Smith

Steve Smith was one of the key player that Australia won their maiden ICC WTC title. He smashed his 31st Test century in the first inning and added a record 285-run partnership with Head, which helped Australia post a huge total. Smith then scored another 34-run knock in the second inning and showed that he is a big match player.

Also Read: ICC WTC 2021-23: Team-wise prize money revealed

5. Ajinkya Rahane

Just like in the last ICC WTC final 2021, Ajinkya Rahane was the top scorer for India. He scored a vital 89 runs in the first inning, which helped India to fight back and reached near 300-run mark. If he had not played that inning, India would have lost the game much earlier. Then, he played another good inning of 46 runs in the second inning and proved that he is in good form at the moment.

6. Travis Head

Travis Head ended the game with the "Man of the Match" award. And why not? It was his counterattack in the first inning that pushed India to the back foot on the very first day of the game. He smashed his fifth Test ton in the first inning and made 163 off 174 balls, with 25 fours and one six. His inning was the difference between India and Australia. He tried to do the same in the second inning and got out for 18 after smashing two sixes. But his impactful century played a major role in Australia winning the game.

7. Alex Carey

Alex Carey did what Rishabh Pant has been doing for India at No. 7 in test cricket. The left-hander played two good knocks in the game. He scored 48 runs with seven fours and one six in the first inning, which ended well for his team. Then he followed it up with another unbeaten knock of 66 runs. He added a 93-run partnership with Mitchell Starc in the second inning, which totally pushed India out of the game.

8. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja had a decent game for India with both the bat and the ball. If we didn't look at his duck in the second inning, he was a standout performer for Team India. He dismissed the dangerous Alex Carey in the first inning and played a quick knock of 48 off 51 balls when India were struggling. Then, he bowled even better in the second inning and took 3/58, dismissing Smith, Head, and Cameron Green.

9. Pat Cummins

The Australian captain Pat Cummins showed why he is regarded as one of the best pacers in the world at this time. Though he had some problems with his no balls but despite that he had a pretty decent game. He dismissed Rohit and Rahane in the first inning and took 3/83 in the first inning. Then he got the important wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara in the second inning, who was looking set.

10. Scott Boland

Scott Boland bowled a match-turning over in the morning session of Day 5 when he dismissed Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja in a span of three balls. It just turned the game completely in Australia's favour. He was just phenomenal throughout the game. He took 2/59 in the first inning and followed it up with 3/46 in the second. He dismissed Shubman Gill twice in two innings.

11. Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj was the highest wicket-taker for India in the final. He bowled a superb spell of 4/108 in the first inning and troubled most of the Australian batters. However, he was a touch expensive in the second inning, but he gave India the first breakthrough and dismissed David Warner early.

ICC WTC 2021-23: Best Playing XI

David Warner, Rohit Sharma, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Ajinkya Rahane, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Ravindra Jadeja, Pat Cummins, Mohammed Siraj, Scott Boland.