Team India leave Australia for New Zealand on an absolute high after having won a historic maiden bilateral ODI series Down Under. Coming on top of a Test series won 2-1 after the T20 series was shared 1-1, the Indians have truly conquered the tough playing conditions of Australia for the very first time in such a comprehensive fashion. Of course, the home team has been at one of its lowest ebbs, particularly so in the wake of the ball-tampering bans on team leaders Steve Smith and David Warner and was ready for the picking. However, no Australian team is known to roll over without a fight at home. Team India was consistently better in all departments of the game. Particular mention must be made of the pace attack members who shone in the ODI series with the quality of their swing bowling which their counterparts just could not match.
The sparkling performance of Mahendra Singh Dhoni — top scorer in the three-match series — settles the issue of his World Cup place once and for all. Having struggled in the chase in the first match, Dhoni showed his mastery of a finishing situation in the decider with an unbeaten 87 that was all about craft, gumption and cageyness befitting a wizened senior pro. The absence of two young and useful ODI players in K.L. Rahul and Hardik Pandya was not overtly felt, which is a good sign ahead of the World Cup as the team has shown depth. The preparations for the World Cup may not be complete, but a road map has been lit up with barely a couple of spots to be decided before India goes to cricket’s showpiece, the World Cup in England, in the summer. Virat Kohli, the master batsman in the chase, and his team have gained great confidence from their tour of Australia, which should serve them in good stead in the World Cup.
