Shankar gain for India
Regardless of the outcome of Wednesday's series decider against Australia, India are already counting Vijay Shankar's rise as a handy, nerveless all-rounder as one of their gains from the five-match series against the world champions.
The hosts approached their last ODI series before this year's World Cup more as an assessment of their preparedness for the showpiece event in England and Wales.
With Hardik Pandya, India's first choice pace-bowling all-rounder, recovering from a back injury, Shankar capitalised on his opportunity against Australia to catapult himself into World Cup contentions with some impressive performances.
The 28-year-old has proved he can float in the batting order and, with the ball, can hold his nerve in the death overs.
"Vijay has gained in confidence. He's batted brilliantly at any given position given to him," India's bowling coach Bharat Arun told reporters on Tuesday at Feroz Shah Kotla ahead of the fifth and final match of the series, currently level at 2-2.
"He batted at number four, six and seven, and he has done exceptionally well."
Emboldened by Australia's remarkable turnaround in the ODI series against India, vice-captain Alex Carey Tuesday said they are “really confident” of entering the ICC World Cup with a squad good enough to play like defending champions.
“As a player in the Australian cricket side we have been working hard in the last 12-18 months. Some success has started to come our way. We are really confident moving with the squad we take to the World Cup,” Clarey said on the eve of the series-deciding game here.
The match will be played on a Feroz Shah Kotla wicket which may assist slow bowlers. Carey, though, said they are capable of handling whatever is thrown at them.
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