Revisiting India's heartbreaking loss to Australia in 2003 WC final
What's the story
India and Australia have been involved in some enthralling cricket matches in the past.
One of their most memorable meetings took place in the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Johannesburg.
Defending champions and favorites, Australia's dominance was apparent from the word go.
It must be noted that Australia headed into the finals on the back of a 10-match winning streak.
They maintained their winning run as millions of Indian hearts were broken.
Toss dilemma
Ganguly's toss decision sparked debate
Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly won the toss and opted to field first, a decision that still divides cricket fans.
The Indian bowlers failed to leave a mark on the pitch.
Australian openers Matthew Hayden (37) and Adam Gilchrist made the most of it, adding 105 runs for the first wicket with Gilchrist scoring 57 off just 48 balls.
Harbhajan Singh trapped Gilchrist, giving India their first breakthrough.
Australian dominance
Ricky Ponting's masterclass leads Australia
After both openers were dismissed, Australian captain Ricky Ponting and Damien Martyn took charge and it was one-way traffic thereafter.
They stitched an unbroken partnership of 234 runs in just 181 balls, taking Australia to their highest ODI score at that time - a staggering 359/2.
Ponting's brilliant century (140* off just 121 balls) put immense pressure on the Indian team. Martyn made an 84-ball 88*.
Both the fallen wickets went to Harbhajan as other Indian bowlers failed to strike.
Indian collapse
India falter in chase
In reply to Australia's mammoth score, India suffered a horrendous start losing their star batter Sachin Tendulkar in the very first over.
Despite Virender Sehwag's valiant 82 runs off 81 balls, the rest of the team fell short. Rahul Dravid (47) was the only other Indian to cross the 25-run mark.
They were all out for mere 234 runs, handing Australia a resounding victory by 125 runs. Glenn McGrath (3/52) was the pick of the Aussie bowlers.
Information
Do you know?
Tendulkar smashed a jaw-dropping 673 runs across 11 games at 61.18 in that event. This was the highest tally by a batter in a single World Cup until the 2023 event. His compatriot Virat Kohli broke the record by smashing 765 runs at 95.62.