‘This shouldn’t be forgotten’- Sunil Gavasakar warns India ahead of 2023 World Cup

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has warned India not to forget the kind of loss the side has had at the hands of Australians in the third and final ODI at Chennai on Wednesday. Chasing a stiff target of 270 on a tricky pitch, India were all out for 248 in 49.1 overs as Australia came back in the series after losing the first ODI five wickets.
“It was the pressure created. They were not getting singles. The boundaries had dried up and they weren’t even getting singles. When that happens then you try and play something that you are not used to. That is something they will have to look at. But of course, now the IPL starts. This shouldn’t be forgotten. India sometimes makes the make of forgetting this, but this one shouldn’t be because, in the World Cup, we may face Australia again,” said Gavaskar during a post-match analysis on Star Sports.
Incidentally, Australia were the last international team to beat India in a bilateral ODI series back in 2019. The score-line back then was 3-2. Since that series defeat four years back, India have won seven back-to-back bilateral ODI rubber at home.

A series win in India sees our Aussie men move up to top spot in the ODI rankings 💪
Congratulations boys! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/Pm4cwKOC9Y
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) March 22, 2023
It was three games in a row that the Indian top-order flattered to deceive and that too in home conditions. They could have been blanked 3-0 in the series had Australia scored at least 235 in the opening ODI.
Highlighting the lack of intent for building partnerships, Gavaskar also said, “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.

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.”
With Australia winning the ODI series 2-1, their chances in the upcoming World Cup that India host in October-November, will be stronger than before. Some of Australia’s team members will also be playing in the IPL 2023 which will again help them getting used to the Indian conditions ahead of the World Cup.