India's batting great Sunil Gavaskar has issued a stern warning to Team India ahead of the ODI World Cup which will be played later this year. Gavaskar wants India to not forget the ODI series defeat against Australia amid the hype of the glitzy Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 which is set to kick off from March 31. India suffered a 21-run defeat to Australia in the ODI series decider to eventually concede the three-match series 1-2 which gave them a reality check with ODI World Cup around the corner. The legendary cricketer warned Rohit Sharma's brigade to be wary of the Australian team as they could lock horns with the same opponent in the 50-over World Cup.
"Of course, now the IPL starts (March 31). This (series defeat) shouldn't be forgotten. India sometimes makes the mistake of forgetting this, but this one shouldn't be because in the World Cup, we may face Australia again," said Gavaskar on Star Sports.
“It (defeat in 3rd ODI) was (due) the pressure created (by Australians). The boundaries had dried up and they (Indian batters) weren't even getting singles. When that happens, you try and play something that you are not used to. That is something they will have to look at,” Gavaskar added.
Talking about the match, Australia posted a not so big total of 269 for India to chase. In reply, India looked steady as star openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave Men in Blue a robust start as the duo stitched together 65-run stand for the opening wicket but soon perished after scoring 30 and 37 runs respectively. After KL Rahul's 32, Virat Kohli however put up a show with a brilliant half-century followed by Hardik Pandya's sedate 40 but wickets kept tumbling at the other end and India ran out of steam and lost the match, thanks to Adam Zampa's exceptional four-fer.
"When you are chasing a score of 270 or nearly 300, you need a partnership of about 90 or 100 and that will take you close. But that didn't happen," Gavaskar said.
"Yes, there were a couple of partnerships, one between Rahul and Kohli, but then you wanted another similar or bigger stand. Fielding from Australia was outstanding. Their bowling was very good. It was tight, stump to stump, but their fielding was very good. That was the difference,” Gavaskar concluded.
Meanwhile, Australia dislodged India from the top of the ODI rankings to become new World no.1 after their 2-1 series victory over hosts. After conceding the three-match series, India lost their dominance in the ODI rankings, albeit, both the teams are tied on 113 rating points. The Men in Blue also lost their maiden ODI series at home after March 2019 when they faced a 2-3 defeat to Australia.
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