Australia beat India by six wickets in the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023. Travis Head scored a match-winning 137 as Australia chased India’s total of 240 and secured a record-extending sixth men’s ODI World Cup title.
The final was played at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India had won every match on the way to the final, but Australia’s bowling restricted the hosts to 240 before Head’s century led the chase. The match ended a campaign in which Australia recovered from an opening loss to win the tournament.
India’s innings: a strong start, then pressure
India’s openers provided early momentum, but Australia gradually took control through disciplined bowling and wickets at important stages. KL Rahul made 66 and Virat Kohli scored 54, helping India build a total despite losing wickets before the end of the innings. Mitchell Starc was among Australia’s leading wicket-takers, finishing with three wickets.
The score of 240 gave India a defendable total, but it was below the sort of score the hosts had often posted earlier in the tournament. Australia’s bowlers kept the target manageable and placed pressure on India to take wickets quickly in the chase.
Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne turn the final
Australia lost early wickets in the chase, but Head counterattacked and built a decisive partnership with Marnus Labuschagne. Head scored 137 from 120 balls, combining boundary hitting with calculated risk. Labuschagne remained unbeaten on 58, giving Australia stability after the early setbacks.
The partnership prevented India from turning early wickets into a collapse. Australia reached 241 for 4 in 43 overs, winning with seven overs remaining. Head was named Player of the Match for his century.
What the result meant
- Australia’s sixth title: the victory extended Australia’s record for men’s ODI World Cup wins.
- India’s unbeaten run ended: India had won all its earlier matches in the tournament before losing the final.
- Head’s impact: his century was the defining batting performance of the match and helped absorb the pressure created by early wickets.
- A tournament turnaround: Australia began its campaign with a defeat but peaked at the right time, winning the final after a strong run through the knockout stages.
Final score summary
India: 240 all out in 50 overs. Australia: 241/4 in 43 overs. Result: Australia won by six wickets. Player of the Match: Travis Head.
This is a historical report of the completed 2023 final, not a preview of an upcoming match. For current cricket tables, see our IPL 2026 final points table and Net Run Rate explainer.
Sources
- ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup: official tournament archive — match reports, scorecards and tournament results.
- Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) — India team and tournament archive.
- ESPNcricinfo — historical scorecard and ball-by-ball records.
Updated October 26, 2026. The previous version was written as a preview even after the match had finished; this article replaces it with the final score and match summary. Original URL retained.
