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Many players took a few extra seconds to take in their surroundings before starting their tune-up sessions after descending the roughly 80 stairs from the changing rooms, which are tucked high up beyond the sightscreen, onto the expansive oval of the Narendra Modi Stadium. Maybe it was the unavoidable thought as they passed a World Cup final, picturing how everything they had done up to that point—picking up a bat or ball, reaching their first boundary, making their first appeal, sweating, crying, and experiencing the sweet joy of hitting an imaginary six to win the World Cup—would all be compressed into these next few hours. Alternatively, it's possible that all they were observing was the latest accessories that had appeared at the massive building, getting ready for a glitzy curtain call.

Because this stage is nothing new to either side. Not Australia, who are participating in this for the eighth time. They have acquired World Cup mementos in Kolkata, London, Johannesburg, Barbados, and Melbourne, just like some wanderlusts do with souvenir fridge magnets from their travels. Playing in the World Cup final is a special moment for a lot of teams. It's ingrained in Australian culture. And yet, their path to this juncture was fraught with uncertainty.

They lost their opening two games, came dangerously close to losing after scoring 388, were 91/7 in a 291 chase, and almost lost after cutting their opponent to 24/4 in the first hour of the semifinal. And yet here they are, almost winners. Who can really count against them to finish a three-year run of global titles in every format of the game, after they have already won the global Test Championship and retained the Ashes in England this year?

Pat Cummins and company would admit, despite their impressive background, that their opponents may begin as favorites on Sunday—and not just because they are at home and riding a high note. Similar to Australia's totally dominant, undefeated campaigns at the beginning of the new millennium, even those who often rail against Indian teams will recognise the precision and style with which this particular edition has worked. And the interesting thread here is the one involving Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid is one to tug at. The importance of an offensive style of play has been openly acknowledged by this captain-coach duo, and when combined with well defined responsibilities and exceptional individual talent, India has an air of invincibility. 

However, Rohit and Dravid are from a show-and-tell nation. Regrettably, despite the preaching of pursuing greatness in Bollywood films, success is still quantified in terms of diplomas and awards. Scorecards and statistics might not be enough for Rohit to be grouped with MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev in the history of this team as the most dominant ODI side ever assembled by this nation. Stories won't work either. If the trophy is on the mantelpiece, memories of the captain's thrilling victory over New Zealand in the semifinal, Shami's first-ball strikes, Kohli's hundreds and near-centuries, and Bumrah's brilliance will be cherished. 

India doesn't have a divine right to victory, and both the captain and the coach will acknowledge that all they can do is create the conditions for change, which they have done in a methodical manner. Playing as though there are no endings at all would be the finest strategy for currently crafting the ideal conclusion.

It was not until these two heavyweights made their debuts in Chennai that the World Cup really got underway. Until these two have spoken last, it won't end. The achievements of the person who leaves Motera empty-handed will be tainted with regret. For those of the other, an 11-kilogram mass of silver and gold plating will provide the best reflection possible.

When: November 19, 14:00 IST, World Cup Final between Australia and India

Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Anticipate: A theater appropriate for the situation. At the largest cricket stadium, over one lakh spectators, including the Indian Prime Minister, will witness sporting history being made. In case the match wasn't captivating enough, there is a pre-game air show, a concert and light show during each drinks break, and an additional concert during the intermission between the two innings.

The team's tactical strategies will also take size into consideration, since the distances to the boundaries from the pitch's center are expected to be over ten meters greater than they were at the semifinal locations in Mumbai and Kolkata. Pitch No. 5, which was also utilized in the India-Pakistan match, had a dark color and a characteristic of a black soil surface. That might imply a slower rotation and less bounce. In this World Cup, chasing teams have won three of the four matches played here, and more so than previous locations, dew has played a role. This tournament's average first-inning score is 251.

Group News:

India

India are unlikely to alter a lineup that has worked for them in six straight games, barring a last-minute fitness problem. Ravichandran Ashwin did participate in a protracted batting and bowling practice, and given his influence during the two teams' match in Chennai, playing him might be considered. However, we shall avoid this temptation because it would only leave the squad with a two-seamer attack or a pure batter shot. 

Strategies and Tactics:

Travis Head enters the final off a match-winning performance in Kolkata, where he was named Player of the Match in the WTC final versus India earlier this year. However, in this event, Mohammed Shami has an exceptional record when bowling around the wicket against left-handers. He could be called upon early in the first change to face David Warner and Head. 

Australia

After giving it some thought, Australia decided to go with Marnus Labuschagne in the semifinal lineup rather than Marcus Stoinis. They'll probably talk about it again, but they'll stay with the same squad in the end.

Strategies and Tactics:

Kohli has been dismissed five times by Josh Hazlewood in their last six one-day international matches. The short ball is probably a ruse, and Marsh made a catch when India's No. 3 should have been in Chennai. Anticipate Australia to employ such offensive strategy while facing the top run scorer in the competition. 

Were you aware?

- In eight stands during the World Cup 2023, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer have amassed 537 partnership runs, the most of any pair.

- In this World Cup, India's bowlers have claimed 95 wickets. In one edition, just two sides have taken more. Australia received 97 in 2007 and 96 in 2003. India is hoping to repeat the success of those two teams, who went on to win 11 straight games and claim the cup.

- Adam Zampa leads all players with 17 wickets in the middle overs of this world cup.

As they put it:

"We perform frequently here in India, so the noise is nothing new. Sure, on this scale it's definitely louder than we would have encountered in the past, but it's not entirely out of the ordinary. Everybody handles things a little bit differently. It should be nice, since you can see Davey Warner presumably dancing and winning over the crowd, while the other men are content to stay in their own little world." Pat Cummins on playing in a World Cup final in front of over a hundred thousand partisan supporters.