Why Was Mitchell Starc Wearing Black Armband During IND vs AUS World Cup Final

Mitchell Starc was spotted donning a black armband during the IND vs AUS ODI World Cup Final.

Mitchell Starc of Australia celebrates the wicket of Shubman Gill of India during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup India 2023 Final between India and Australia at Narendra Modi Stadium on November 19, 2023 in Ahmedabad, India. ( Image Source :Getty )

During the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 final, Australian seamer Mitchell Starc honoured the late cricketer Phillip Hughes by wearing a black armband with Hughes' initials 'PH.' Hughes, who tragically passed away after being struck by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield match, was a significant figure in Australian cricket, and his death prompted change in protective gear in cricket.

The impact of Hughes' passing led to the development of enhanced helmets and neck guards in cricket. His former teammates, including Michael Clarke, paid homage to Hughes in various ways. Clarke had worn a similar black armband while leading Australia to the World Cup title in 2015. They have since honoured him by wearing his Baggy Green number, 408, on different occasions. Cricket Australia retired Hughes' ODI shirt number 64 as a mark of respect for his contributions to the sport. Hughes, known for his remarkable international career and being the youngest batter to score two centuries in a Test match, remains an integral part of Australian cricket history.

Mitchell Starc Set The Tone With Early Dismissal Of Shubman Gill In IND vs AUS ODI World Cup Final

Despite having faced challenges regarding his form in the group stages, Starc demonstrated his skill by clinching the opening wicket in a tense start to the final. His pivotal moments included dismissing the well-established KL Rahul and later claiming Mohammed Shami's wicket, securing his third scalp of the match. Starc amassed a total of 16 wickets in the tournament, significantly contributing to Australia's victorious campaign.

Australia secured their record sixth title in a thrilling final against India at the Narendra Modi Stadium, chasing down 240 to win by six wickets. While KL Rahul and Virat Kohli scored half-centuries for India, Travis Head's sensational 137 led Australia to triumph in front of a packed stadium.

Despite a shaky start in their top order, Australia managed to seal the victory with seven overs to spare, marking a surprising turn of events for India, the tournament's most dominant team, facing their first loss in the final clash.