Travis Head has turned India’s theatre of dreams into a coliseum of heartache, returning Australia to the top of the white-ball mountain for a record-extending sixth time in Ahmedabad.

For the second time in six months, a staggering Head century condemned India to the minor pedestal, Australia breaking the host’s unbeaten run and dominating the 2023 World Cup final with a commanding six-wicket triumph.

In a campaign defined by bold calls, Pat Cummins’ last roll of the dice lifted Australia into the ascendancy, shocking everyone by bowling first.

But it proved the most critical decision of his short captaincy tenure as Mitchell Starc (3-55), Pat Cummins (2-34), and Josh Hazlewood (2-60) flaunted their big-game credentials in another inspired performance on a pitch full of demons.

Australia bowled the previously all-conquering Indians out for the first time during the tournament, setting a below-par 241 for victory.

But the Aussie top order buckled under a wall of noise erupting around the 130,000 Narendra Modi Stadium before Head carried the weight of his nation with 137 off 120 deliveries.

He joined legends Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist as Aussies to ton up at a World Cup decider, methodically breaking India’s will as he kept the fans in stunned silence.

Fittingly, the man who was expected to be dropped to make way for the South Australian, Marnus Labuschagne (58 n.o), was at his side for 192 runs as Australia sealed their dynasty with nine-straight victories.

“I was a little bit nervous but Marnus played exceptionally, it’s awesome to bat with him and he soaked up all the pressure. It was an amazing partnership,” Head told the host broadcaster post game.

“The way Mitch Marsh came out and took the game on, albeit he didn’t go on with it, sort of set the tone and that was the energy we wanted and we knew the wicket may get tough.

“Nice to be a part of it and play a role on that and it’s going to be an amazing couple of days now.”

After taking seven wickets in the semifinal, Mohammed Shami was handed the new ball for the first time in the run chase, and it worked a treat as he had David Warner caught at first slip on seven with a vicious swing.

Mitch Marsh was caught up in the electrified atmosphere, belting boundaries before a bottom edge on a booming cut shot went through to the keeper.

Australia’s chaotic start was compounded by Steve Smith being given lbw against a leg cutter; however, had he chosen to review instead of walk off, he would have been saved by the impact being outside the line of off stump.

KL Rahul used the crowd to intimidate the Aussies, whipping the fans into a frenzy with pretend wicket celebrations.

Despite the mind-boggling noise, Head didn’t miss a beat, taking risk-free runs and attacking the loose deliveries.

Head and Labushagne snatched the air from the crowd and broke the hosts as their partnership climbed into triple figures.

Momentum was well and truly with Australia as Labuschagne survived an lbw review by the barest of umpire’s call decision.

Head raced through the 90s with boundaries before ratcheting through the gears to finish off the match with fireworks.

As he did in the semifinal, Starc got Australia off to the perfect start with the ball, removing Shubman Gill for four after another venomous start from Rohit Sharma.

The Indian skipper took charge as he forced a double bowling change, and it took a piece of catching brilliance from Head to bring his innings to an end.

After hitting Glenn Maxwell into the crowd and to the rope in successive deliveries, Rohit tried for a third but chipped it into the air over the off-side ring.

Head sprinted back from cover and claimed a stunning catch at full stretch.

Shreyas Iyer’s run of centuries ended abruptly, with Cummins catching his edge for just four.

It left Kohli and Rahul to consolidate, but they were stuck in a rut, going 97 deliveries without a boundary despite putting on 67.

Kohli lifted the crowd with his fifth consecutive half century, but a pin could’ve been heard dropping when he chopped Cummins onto his stumps for 54.

Reverse swing accounted for Ravi Jadeja, India slipping to 5-178 after 36 overs.

Their hopes of reaching 300 took another dent as Rahul’s vigil was ended by a Starc gem, the ball catching his outside edge on 66 after swinging and seaming.

Suryakumar Yadav’s fall to a slower-ball bouncer from Hazlewood left the tail-enders to close the innings, a run out on the final ball sealing the Aussie bowler’s dominance.

India also hit just four boundaries after the first 10 overs.