<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> ← 1999 2007 → </Td> </Tr> <P> The 2003 Cricket World Cup Final was a One Day International (ODI) match played between Australia and India on 23 March 2003 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa . It marked the culmination of the 2003 Cricket World Cup, the eighth edition of the tournament . It was the first time that these two teams had met at this stage of a World Cup . For defending champions Australia it was their fifth World Cup final, while for India it was the second after their 1983 victory . Australia won the match by 125 runs to claim the title for the third time . </P> <P> Both teams had progressed through three stages to reach the final . Australia was unbeaten thus far, while India had lost one game--against Australia in the first stage . Australia--led by Ricky Ponting--entered the game as firm favourites . After winning the toss, India captain Sourav Ganguly decided to field first before a crowd of nearly 32,000 . The Australian opening pair, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden, added 105 runs in 14 overs . After their dismissals, Ponting (140 not out) and Damien Martyn (88 not out) were involved in a partnership of 234 runs, then an Australian record, and took the total to 359 runs at the end of the innings . Harbhajan Singh took both of the Australian wickets, conceding 49 runs . </P> <P> In response, India lost their key batsman, Sachin Tendulkar, at the start of the innings . Despite a brief interruption by rain after the 17th over, no time was lost from the game . Once play resumed, India lost wickets at regular intervals . Virender Sehwag top - scored for India with 82 runs, before the team were bowled out for 234 runs in the 40th over . For Australia, Glenn McGrath took three wickets for 52 runs, while Brett Lee and Andrew Symonds claimed two wickets each . Ponting was named man of the match for his 140, and Tendulkar, the tournament's leading run - scorer (673 runs), was awarded the man of the series . The final was Australia's seventeenth successive ODI win, a record, and they were the first team to win three World Cups . Ganguly's decision to bowl first in the match was criticised by journalists and former cricketers . </P>

Who won the toss in 2003 world cup final