The pitch is ready as the momentum builds for the final showdown of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup between India and Australia. Thousands of fans have started gathering outside the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where the two powerhouses will play later in the day.
India’s unbeaten streak has drawn a bigger crowd this time, while Australia's impressive revival after a few setbacks at the start of the tournament has raised the heat. The match will begin at 2:00 pm IST and the live telecast can be watched on Star Sports Network channels.
Wishes have been pouring in from across the political spectrum ahead of the match. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be attending the match today, along with Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Richard Marles.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, Reliance Foundation chairperson Nita Ambani, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, UAE Ambassador Abdulnasser Jamal Alshaali, Singapore Minister of Home Affairs Kasiviswanathan Shanmugam, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and spiritual leaders like Sadhguru of Isha Yoga, are among others on the VIP list, apart from celebrities and diplomats from various countries.
Here are some of the reactions from the political spectrum:
Sonia Gandhi
On the eve of the match, Congress senior leader Sonia Gandhi conveyed her best wishes for the Men in Blue in a video message. "Dear Team India, I would like to first begin by congratulating you for your incredible performance and excellent team work during this World Cup. You have consistently brought glory to the country and given us all reasons to be collectively joyous and proud," she said in the video.
"And now as you get ready for the finals this year, the entire country is rooting for you. I send you my best wishes. You have what it takes to be world champions. Good luck team India. Jai Hind," the Congress parliamentary party chairperson added.
Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also wished the Indian team in a short video message. "Wishing you all the best. You come victorious, the whole country is with you," he said.
Anurag Thakur
Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur wished the team while speaking to news agency ANI last evening. “Tomorrow is a big day. The final of the ICC World Cup is going to be held in the world's largest Cricket stadium, Narendra Modi Stadium. My wishes for the Indian team which has created a history by winning all the matches. I hope that India wins tomorrow. I am going to see the match tomorrow. PM Modi will also come there to attend the match,” he said.
Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to X (formerly Twitter) to convey his best wishes to India, saying “the entire nation stands with you”. “Show your strength, play your best, maintain your winning streak and make history,” he wrote.
Sanjay Raut
Meanwhile, in a press briefing, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut took a dig at the Centre while speaking about the ICC World Cup final. "In this country, a political event is being organised for everything since Modi Govt has come to power in Centre and several states… There is no need to bring politics in Cricket, but it is being done in Ahmedabad. As if PM Modi will bowl, Amit Shah will bat, and BJP leaders will stand at the boundary. We will get to hear that we won the World Cup since PM Modi was there. Anything happens in this country, nowadays," he said.
DK Shivakumar
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar wished the Indian team and expressed confidence in Rohit Sharma’s captaincy. "The team has played phenomenal cricket till now, and I wish they continue that performance in the finals too. India will lift this World Cup is my belief and every Indian's belief too," he said ahead of the match.
Tejasvi Surya
"Today is the World Cup final and the whole world knows that India will win. Youths across the country are very excited today and we are very confident about a spectacular win," BJP Yuva Morcha National President Tejasvi Surya told reporters.
