Mumbai, India - The Narendra Modi Stadium in Gujarat witnessed an underwhelming end to the Cricket World Cup 2023 as an exodus of fans left the venue long before Australia sealed victory in Sunday's final. The disappointment was palpable for the hosts, India, whose dreams of winning the tournament on home soil were shattered.

The highly anticipated final had been a topic of fervent discussion across the cricket-crazy nation, with people gathering in restaurants, pubs, and cafes to witness the India-Australia clash on public screens. However, as the Indian team faltered and defeat loomed, a multitude of fans began to abandon their seats before the match's conclusion, presenting a sorry sight after India's flawless journey to the finals.

Sriraj Namboodiri, who had traveled from Mumbai to Ahmedabad to watch the game with his brother, expressed his disappointment, saying, "The crowd at the stadium was really bad. I didn't enjoy the experience. Had the match been in Chennai or Mumbai, most fans would have stayed back until the end for the presentation ceremony. After all, this was a World Cup final, the biggest match in world cricket, and it was happening on our home soil. As a cricket fan, you would stay. If you're leaving, it's only because you are a fake fan."

Annujj Palaye, a communications professional for a top-tier Indian football team, understood the early departures but was more disheartened by the crowd's failure to support India during their challenging moments. He remarked, "It's a beautiful stadium and makes for a great setting, which is probably why it was chosen for the final. But it didn't seem like India had a home advantage. The crowd was pumped up in the first 10 overs of both innings, but for the largest part, it was mostly silent."

The match took a turn against India from the outset when they lost the toss. The challenging pitch conditions made batting difficult, with the sluggish and pacer-friendly black soil pitch posing a significant challenge for the team. According to Namboodiri, who is a sports media professional, India's typical batting strategy relies on a firing start from captain Rohit Sharma, followed by contributions from Shubman Gill or Virat Kohli. However, Gill's early dismissal put pressure on Kohli and KL Rahul, leading to an unsteady start. Subsequently, Kohli's unfortunate exit disrupted India's middle-order stability, ultimately affecting their overall performance in the match.

Radha Lath Gupta, a management student from Ahmedabad who attended the finals, believed that India fell short of their target by 30 to 40 runs. She observed, "The first 10 overs of India's bowling were so electric, but the bowling changes later became predictable. Since we had a below-par score on the board, Australia could comfortably rotate the strike, eliminating the need for risky shots. India didn't apply any pressure while fielding either, allowing Head and Labuschagne to settle in. Once top-quality batters find their rhythm in a World Cup final, it becomes incredibly challenging to dislodge them."

Former West Indies player and cricket commentator Ian Bishop praised Australia during a post-match interview, acknowledging that India lost to a team with a "championship-winning DNA." Gupta concurred, saying, "Australia had a proper World Cup run. They faced challenges early on, which prepared them for the final. Australia didn't have a perfect tournament, but their performance peaked at the right time."

The final between India and Australia was reminiscent of the 2003 World Cup, where Australia emerged victorious by a margin of 125 runs after a formidable 140-run innings by then-captain Ricky Ponting propelled the team to a commanding total of 360.

Indian Captain Rohit Sharma, aged 36, and batting superstar Virat Kohli, aged 35, bid farewell to the tournament with tears in their eyes. Kohli, named the player of the tournament, amassed a record-breaking 765 runs with an impressive average of 96, while Sharma secured the second-highest run tally with 597 runs.

As fans speculate about the future of these two cricketers, opinions differ regarding their potential participation in the 2027 edition of the Cricket World Cup. While some expect Sharma to play, doubts linger about Kohli's continued involvement. "Fitness-wise, Kohli can play in 2027, but it depends on him. We can't really say for sure what's going on in his mind," shared Namboodiri. However, Gupta, while acknowledging Kohli's exceptional abilities, expressed skepticism about a 39-year-old's participation in the tournament.

Unfortunately, as the excitement of the World Cup finale subsided, a dark side of the game emerged, with some players facing abuse on social media. Australian sports presenter Ian Higgins, along with New Zealand's Jimmy Neesham, received abusive messages from Indian fans. Neesham even shared screenshots of the abuse, highlighting the need for rationality and respect in expressing disappointment. It is crucial for fans to appreciate the talent and hard work displayed by the winning team and graciously accept defeat.

As the confetti settled on Australia's celebration of their sixth World Cup triumph, the disappointment in the Indian camp was evident. It marks the end of an extraordinary tournament for India, who thrilled fans with their exceptional performances, and while they came up short in the final, their journey will be remembered.