India fall short ahead of World Cup

New Delhi: India’s quest to find right combinations for the upcoming World Cup ended with a 35–run defeat in the decisive fifth ODI against Australia as they lost the series 2-3 here Wednesday.
In what was their last game before the showpiece event in United Kingdom, the Indian innings folded for 237, exactly in 50 overs while chasing a 273-run target. Australia had put on board 272 for nine, built around Usman Khawaja’s (100) second hundred of the series.
It was India’s first ODI series defeat at home since losing to South Africa in 2015 as their big guns fell silent on the day when the series was on line. India also became the only side in the world to lose an ODI series twice after leading 2-0.The Indian team management are “not confused” about the composition of the World Cup squad despite their ODI series defeat against Australia as only one slot is up for grabs, said skipper Virat Kohli.
Before the start of the series, Kohli had said that a couple of places need to be sealed and now it is down to just one man. While the confusion regarding No 4 slot and second wicketkeeper’s position remain, the skipper said that they are “sorted”.
“We are more or less sorted,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony adding: “Now, it’s about giving guys their roles and expect them to stand up. We are not at all confused. Maybe there’s just one spot we’ve to discuss.” Kohli said that giving fringe players game time was always an idea and he will not use it as an excuse for not winning the series.
“Last three games, the idea was to give fringe guys some (game) time and see how they react. No excuses, we’re expected to raise our standard of cricket. The changes will never be an excuse. We will (still) take a lot of confidence going into the World Cup,” the skipper said. Kohli expects that his players will reflect on the mistakes made during the series and take corrective measures going into the World Cup. “It’s good we have had these losses, to correct these at the World Cup.”(PTI)