Pat Cummins’ captaincy made the difference in World Cup final: Raina

MUMBAI: Pat Cummins' captaincy proved the difference between India and Australia in the final of the ICC Men's ODI World Cup in Ahmedabad that the Aussies won by six wickets and claimed their sixth World Cup title.

In a column for the website of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Cummins' captaincy especially his bowling changes swung the game in Australia's favour.

"What swung the game in Australia’s favour was Pat Cummins’ captaincy. The way he brought Glenn Maxwell into the attack to get the wicket of Rohit Sharma with a brilliant catch from Travis Head was very smart. Adam Zampa was great too, as was Cummins himself in dismissing Virat Kohli," wrote Raina in a column, saying Australia outplayed India and were very solid in their planning.

"I think Cummins showed real temperament in his captaincy. He changed his bowlers knowing he could put pressure on each India batter even though they were all in such good form. His tactics made all the difference and his planning and execution was perfect," Raina said.

The former India star, a member of the 2011 World Cup-winning Indian team, said that Australia's superb fielding too played a huge role in their victory.

"Another big factor was Australia’s fielding, I think they saved 30 to 40 runs. From ball one, they were saving a lot of singles and boundaries. There was Travis’s catch and some excellent work in the deep from David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne," said Raina.

Raina also noted that the Indians could not put pressure on Australia after reducing them to 47/3. He praised Travis Head for changing the direction of the match with his batting. IANS

Also Read: Ready for anything they’ll throw at us: Australia skipper Pat Cummins

Also Watch: