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On March 23, 2003, Australia won the ODI World Cup final against India. Ricky Ponting’s 140 runs led to a 359/2 total. India scored 234, and Australia won by 125 runs.
On This Day In 2003: Australia’s journey to the final was marked by clinical performances in the group stage and the knockout phase. (Image: ICC/ X, formerly Twitter)
On This Day In 2003: The 2003 ODI World Cup final saw Australia secure back-to-back crowns by demolishing India in a one-sided affair in Johannesburg. The Ricky Ponting-led squad retained their title with a chillingly efficient display of limited-overs cricket on March 23. On this day, Zimbabwe and South Africa co-hosted the fifty-over event 22 years ago.
With the tournament being held in one of cricket’s greatest eras, the ICC event was widely recognised as the coming together of the best cricketers on the planet. The high-octane clash at the New Wanderers Stadium saw Ponting put up a Player of the Match performance, leading his team to an overall third World Cup crown.
Australia’s journey to the final was marked by clinical performances in the group stage and the knockout phase. Under Ricky Ponting’s leadership, the Aussies established themselves as a formidable force.
Similarly, India emerged as genuine trophy contenders under the captaincy of Sourav Ganguly at the event. They overcame early setbacks to ignite the passion of a billion fans.
The final, however, unfolded in a manner only few could have predicted. Australia batted first and put a display that was nothing short of breathtaking. The defending champions remained unbeaten in 13.5 overs while adding 105 runs. Adam Gilchrist was firing on all fronts with eight fours and one six.
Harbhajan Singh eventually dismissed the legendary wicketkeeper but his wicket only invited more trouble for India.
Ricky Ponting walked out to the crease and put up a knock that would be remembered for ages. He led from the front and added 140 runs, hitting four boundaries and eight sixes. Ponting formed a 200-run partnership with Damien Martyn to register a 359/2 total.
India’s response during the chase fell short of the expectations. The weight of the occasion, coupled with Australia’s unrelenting bowling attack proved too much for the Men in Blue.
Sourav Ganguly’s men showed flashes of brilliance with Virender Sehwag scoring 82 runs and Rahul Dravid adding another 47. The lack of cohesion and resilience to chase down the mammoth target ultimately saw India get dismissed for 234.
Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and Andrew Symonds did the most damage as they combined for seven wickets. Australia won the match by 125 runs.
Being the second crown of the historic three-peat, the 2003 World Cup defined an era in Australian cricket.
As for India, the humiliating defeat served as a catalyst for future growth. It ignited a desire in the Indian team to become the world’s best, eventually leading them to their second crown in 2011.