We took a big risk by including Travis Head, but it paid off: Pat Cummins

Australia completed a historic six-wicket win in the World Cup final against India in Ahmedabad to claim their sixth title. Australia were on the money right from the beginning after they won the toss and elected to field. They restricted India to a modest 240 and chased it down with ease.

Opening batter, Travis Head played a key role with a superb 120-ball 137 and also put on 192 for the fourth wicket with Marnus Labuschagne (58*) to propel Australia to a victory.

Australia skipper Pat Cummins lauded the selectors for backing Head and giving him a go despite missing some of the initial matches due to a broken hand.

"Really brave, he takes the game on, puts some pressure back on the bowlers, and to do it on the biggest stage shows a lot of character. The selectors have backed him even when he had a broken hand and the medical team to get him back. It was a big risk that we took, and it paid off. Couldn't be happier for Trav, he is a legend; we love him," Cummins said at the presentation ceremony.

Australia did not get off to the best of starts in the tournament after losing the first two games but bounced back to win nine in a row to claim the title.

"You gotta go and win the World Cup, you can't wait for it to happen. You got to be brave, you got to take the game on. This year will be remembered for a long, long time, and we had a lot of success over the winter, and this one peaks it all. At the top of the mountain," Cummins said of the message conveyed after those two losses. 

Speaking of the match, Cummins said his side would have been happy to chase around 300 but were very happy to keep India down to just 240.

"Really chuffed with 240, probably anything under 300, really. I thought 300 might have been tough but achievable on that wicket. We were really happy with 240," Cummins, who got the wickets of Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer in the final, said.

He was also pleased with the way his side fielded. "Desperate for sure, it all started last week against South Africa [in the semi-final]. The boys were fantastic. We've got an ageing side, but everyone still throws themselves around in the game," Cummins said.

It has been a memorable year for Cummins, who, on top of leading Australia to a World Cup title, has already led his side to the World Test Championship (WTC) final and also helped his side win the Ashes in England.