New Delhi [India]: Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri penned an inspiring message for the Narendra Modi Stadium crowd to back the Men in Blue cricketers as they defend the total of 240 during the second innings against five-time champions Australia in the ICC World Cup 2023 final.
Australia put on a stunning display of tight and belligerent bowling to bundle out India for 240 after pacers Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins broke the back of the hosts' batting line-ups early in the innings.
After skipper Rohit Sharma's attacking 47, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul scored 54 and 66, respectively, but the ball dominated the bat on a sluggish, dry pitch.
Expectations were high for the in-form Indian batting line-up ahead of the final, but the hosts were bundled out for 240.
Chhetri took to X soon following the finish of Inda's innings in the WC final to motivate the crowd. The Indian football captain urged the spectators to cheer loudly every time an Indian bowler bowled.