Australia overpowered home nation and overwhelming favourites, India, to win the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad.
Winning the trophy for a sixth time, Australia managed to silent the 100,000-strong home crowd by dismissing their previously unbeaten opponents for 240. Then Travis Head's sensational century meant they roared hone to victory with seven overs to spare.
Entering the match as clear underdogs against an all-conquering home nation, Head and Marnus Labuschagne’s stand of 192 saw Indian hopes dissipate before the former was caught for 132 from 120 balls with just two runs needed. Glenn Maxwell, however, was able to hit the winning runs - with Labuschagne ended 58 not out from 110.
With India bidding for their first white-ball title since 2011 - an achievement which looked unstoppable as they made rampant progress through the semi-final and group stage – it was supposed to be their day, with prime minister Narendra Modi, present, and expecting.
Australia’s victory was built on a sensational performance with the ball and a brave decision to bowl first at the toss by Pat Cummins. Captain Rohit Sharma gave India a rapid start with 47 from 31 balls, but from 76-1 in the 10th over, Australia applied a stranglehold on the host’s star-studded batting line-up and did not let go.
As batting became easier on a slow pitch that had offered more turn in the day, Head took advantage, cracking 14 fours and four sixes, with the sixes all sailing way over mid-wicket. It would later leave Virat Kohli and KL Rahul – who put on 67 in 109 balls - to attempt a rebuild for India, but Australia’s bowlers kept the scoring slow through a mix of short, slower balls and athletic fielding, all while captain Cummins mixed his pack to great effect.
"What an amazing day for us,” Player of the Match, Head, said. “I'm just thrilled that I was a part of it.
"It is a lot better than being sat on the couch at home! I'm very lucky that everything went well, and I was able to get back and the support that the boys showed, I didn't think this would happen.
“I’m thrilled and hugely proud of what we achieved."
A defeated India captain, Rohit Sharma, said "We were not good enough, but I'm really proud of the team and how we played from game one. We tried everything we could from our side, but it wasn't supposed to be.”
"I think that's the pinnacle of international cricket, winning a one-day World Cup," Cummins said.
"It's been a big year for everyone, but our cricket team has been here in India, the Ashes, World Test Championship and to top it off with this is just huge. These are the moments that you'll remember for the rest of your life."
