Just one spot to discuss for the World Cup, says Virat Kohli after conceding the series to Australia

The experimentation that started since the end of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy for the World Cup which is now just over a couple of months away seems to have not ended even now. Team India played their final ODI before the mega event on Wednesday when they took on Australia in Delhi and the signs are not good at all. They lost their third consecutive game to concede the series 2-3 even after going up 2-0.

After failing to defend a daunting 358 in the fourth ODI, the hosts failed to gun down 273 in the series-decider. In fact, the Men in Blue remained on the back-foot throughout the chase. Barring the 91-run stand between Kedar Jadhav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar which briefly revived India’s hopes, the hosts barely looked in contention and were all out for just 237 to surrender the game meekly.

However, India skipper Virat Kohli did not sound dejected at all after the loss, pointing out the brand of cricket India have played ‘over the last few months’. He also said that the team for the World Cup is more or less sorted although the experimentation carried out in the series suggested otherwise. He, however, made it clear that there is still ‘one spot in the side that needs some discussion’.

Guys just need to get their roles

“The guys will reflect on the series quite a bit. It’s been a long season, and we can be proud of the cricket we have played over the last few months. Both teams played with equal intensity but the deserving side won in the end as I said before. We are more or less sorted with what we want to do. The guys just need to get their roles for the World Cup and expect them to stand up and deliver.

“Just one spot in the side that needs some discussion. The last three games were all about giving the fringe guys some chances, but that’s not an excuse at all,” said Kohli in the post-match presentation.

While Kohli did not divulge any more details particularly, it looks likely he was talking about the number four spot. Ambati Rayudu‘s inconsistency is a big headache for the team-management and with no more games left before the World Cup, India look set to take a big gamble by either taking the out-of-form player to England or trying out another player at that spot right in the competition.

No need for any motivation

While many think that the series loss will dent India’s confidence ahead of the World Cup, Virat Kohli feels otherwise. The 30-year old made it clear that one just not needs motivation for the showpiece event before stating that the team wants to relive the big moments and do well.

“You don’t need any motivation for the World Cup. All the sides will enjoy the tournament. Full stadiums. We just want to relive the big moments and do well in the World Cup,” the Indian skipper said.

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