Sourav Ganguly’s dodgy call in 2003 World Cup final vs Australia costs India

The 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup was played in an era when one team was dominating the game. In many cases, it was Australia vs The Rest of the World. Australia steamrolled into the final by hammering every opposition that had come in front of them. Their opponents in the final, India, were also strong but they had come into the contest with a big mental scar.

In the earlier league game against Australia in Centurion, India was shot out for 125 and Australia chased the total down with ease. Heading into the final on March 23, 2003, in Johannesburg, India was expected to give Australia an almighty scare. Crucially, Sourav Ganguly won the toss and he had the decisive advantage.

The crowd in Johannesburg knew. The Indian contingent was celebrating. In the entire tournament, barring the Centurion loss, India had batted first on many occasions and won. Instead, on the big final, against a mighty opponent, Ganguly chose to bowl. When asked as to why he would bowl, Ganguly responded that the bowlers would get assistance in the wicket from the early morning rain. When Ricky Ponting was asked the question, he clearly stated that he would bat and put the scoreboard pressure. 

Mental surrender to the opponent

The toss call was perhaps a fatal misjudgment. It was due to the mental scar associated with the loss in Centurion. Ganguly probably felt that Australia’s bowlers would exploit the conditions better. However, he played into the strength of the opponents. It was a repat of 1996 where Mohammad Azharuddin played into the hands of the Sri Lankan team in 1996. In that semi-final, he chose to bowl having judged that the Sri Lankans were excellent in chasing.

The first over itself was a sign that the entire plan had backfired. Zaheer Khan’s inexperience resulted in 15 runs off the first over. Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden laid the platform and India never recovered.

The Ponting Show

Hayden and Gilchrist hit fifties and shared a partnership in excess of 100. However, Ponting showed his class and along with Damien Martyn, deflated India totally. Ponting’s audacity saw him become the second captain since Clive Lloyd to hit a century in the World Cup final. Martyn, nursing a broken finger, was class and the 234-run stand helped Australia reach 359/2. Ponting ended with 140 which included eight sixes.

India was already staring at a mountain i. Sachin Tendulkar, who in 1998 had inflicted many scars on Australia, was the only hope. However, just like in 1999, McGrath dealt the killer blow for India as he dismissed Tendulkar for 4.

A brief stoppage for rain saw Indian fans do the rain dance and ensure there would be a new beginning on the reserve day. However, the rain relented. Virender Sehwag smashed 82 but it was too late. India lost by 125 runs and Australia won the World Cup for the third time. 

Ganguly’s decision to bowl in the World Cup final potentially ranks up there for the worst decision at the toss along with Nasser Hussain’s Ashes 2002 blunder in Brisbane. 18 years on, the decision still haunts some people.