Dravid gives a critical assessment on the India squad's preparation for the opening World Cup warm-up game against England...

 In the last ODI game on Wednesday, Australia put on their greatest performance of the series as India's middle order broke under the strain of Glenn Maxwell's occasional off-spin, leading to a 66-run defeat. However, India took the lead after the team had already jumped out to a 2-0 lead going into the decisive match in Rajkot. While pursuing a difficult goal of 353 on a flat surface, India appeared to be on a comfortable path to victory at 171/2; but, the middle-order failed during the chase, with Maxwell's excellent figures of 4/40 giving important breakthroughs. India eventually scored 286 runs in 49.4 overs.

Both returning for the game captain Rohit Sharma (81) and Virat Kohli (56 off 61 balls) struck half-centuries, laying the groundwork for a potent middle-order display. The rest of the batting order, though, had trouble, giving Australia the advantage. India suffered by a significant list of absences, including numerous players who were unavailable for both personal and viral reasons. On the day of the game, Ishan Kishan was also ruled out due to illness, joining the likes of Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Shardul Thakur, and Mohammed Shami who were unavailable. Axar Patel is also already out due to an injury incurred earlier this month during the Asia Cup.       

It is understandably undesirable for players to be absent with the World Cup just around the corner, but the team's head coach, Rahul Dravid, cleared up the matter by maintaining that a "full-strength" side should be available ahead of India's opening warm-up match against England later this week.

"We have had some problems with viral spreading among the group. A delicate balance had to be struck, especially because a few guys had to return home for personal reasons. Some of the boys had to go because a team was departing tonight for the Asian Games, including Rutu (Ruturaj Gaikwad) and Tilak (Varma). So, managing the game was a bit of a juggling act for us," Dravid said in the post-game news conference.

"But no, I'm hoping we still have a week or so. When we arrive in Guwahati tomorrow, at the absolute least by tomorrow night or the next morning, I anticipate everyone being there. The bug that affected the group should to have disappeared as well. Be grateful if it happens," added Dravid.

Also read : "Why pakistan's visa was delayed.."

Also read : "Ind W win gold in asian games"