Australia defeated India in the final of the 2023 Cricket World Cup in Ahmedabad on Sunday, bringing the curtain down on a marathon tournament.
AFP Sport looks at 20 of the best quotes from the 48-match, 46-day event.
“We have to be cautious with these bookings, because our primary aim is patient care. We can’t just hand out a bed to watch the match.”
— A doctor in Ahmedabad telling AFP how Indian fans were staying in a local hospital and booking medical check-ups ahead of the tournament’s big-ticket game with Pakistan. Staying in the hospital worked out cheaper than staying in hotels where some rates had been jacked up seven times the normal price.
“To be honest I never thought that I would play a World Cup because I have come from so low (background).”
— India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj who feared his humble roots as the son of a Hyderabad auto-rickshaw driver would shatter his dreams.
“What has been tough is the fact that we’ve been under a massive amount of security. It’s almost like we’ve been back in Covid times, where you were almost secluded to your floor and your team room.”
— Pakistan director of cricket Mickey Arthur on the stifling security for his team in India.
“It is not as romantic as it sounds but I am fine with being the fast bowling delivery guy.”
— Netherlands fast bowler Paul van Meekeren telling AFP of when he worked as an Uber Eats driver to make ends meet during the pandemic.
“Yes, we lost to India due to making mistakes but the stopped bus will now take two points from every stop.”
— Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali.
“Where does it leave the bowlers? If all we want to see is fours, we have T20, play two T20 matches.”
— India coach Rahul Dravid on the big totals and pitch conditions at the World Cup skewing the tournament in favour of batsmen.
“It was strange. I have experienced it before in first-class cricket in Wellington when the fog came in. This game continues to provide wonderful things, doesn’t it? It was an amazing experience.”
— New Zealand’s Daryl Mitchell on the carpet of fog which held up play in the game with India at Dharamsala in the shadows of the Himalayas.
“I think the only time I’m affected by the air quality is when my golf ball goes up in the air and I can’t see it but apart from that absolutely no stress.”
— Australia’s Mitchell Marsh shrugging off fears over the air quality in New Delhi.
“That was crazy, a freak show, you’ve got no options as a bowler when someone is running as hot as that. It’s the cleanest hitting you’re going to see.”
— Australia skipper Pat Cummins on Glenn Maxwell hitting the World Cup’s fastest hundred off 40 balls in the win over the Netherlands.
“I saw a comment that described Pakistan as mercurial. I had to Google the word, but it spoke about how a team can be good one day and not so good the next.”
— South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma on facing Pakistan.
“Not field placements.”
— New Zealand’s Tom Latham on what was discussed when the squad met with Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala.
“Answers on a postcard.”
— England captain Jos Buttler looking for answers after the defending champions’ dismal campaign.
“In transporting him back from the clubhouse to the team bus, Glenn came off the back of a cart and has suffered a small concussion.”
— Australia coach Andrew McDonald on Glenn Maxwell’s freak accident when he tumbled off a golf buggy.
“Not rocket science. Just a matter of rhythm, good food, keep your mind uncluttered, and, most importantly, the love of the people.”
— India seamer Mohammed Shami on the secret of his success.
“It’s quite hard to get our heads around after getting that total.”
— New Zealand captain Kane Williamson whose side lost to Pakistan by 21 runs on the DLS method despite making 401-6 in their innings.
“I appealed and the umpire asked me if I was serious, whether I would take it back or not. I said no. If it is in the rules then it is out.”
— Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan on appealing to have Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews dismissed for being “timed out”.
“It’s disgraceful from Shakib and Bangladesh if they want to play cricket and to stoop down to that level.”
— Mathews in response after becoming the first player in the 146-year history of international cricket to be given “timed out”.
“Horrific, I feel shocking. It was quite hot when we were fielding. It got a hold of me today, I was lucky to stick it out until the end.”
— Glenn Maxwell after his epic 201 not out led Australia to victory over Afghanistan despite suffering from cramp and back spasms.
“Everyone is saying something different. He should be like this, or like that. If someone has to give me advice, everyone has my number. It is easy to give advice on TV. If you want to give me some advice, you can message me.”
— Pakistan captain Babar Azam on his team’s doomed campaign.
“It feels like a dream. Too good to be true. Sachin was there in the stands, my hero. My life partner and all these fans at the Wankhede.”
— Virat Kohli paying tribute to Sachin Tendulkar and his wife Anushka Sharma watching his moment of history as he hit a record 50th ODI century.
