AFTER HELPING Australia secure their place in the finals of the one-day cricket series, opening batsman David Warner says he’s surprised by how poorly India are playing given the talent in their side.
Warner found some form at the SCG to top score with 68 as Australia romped to a 87-run win over India on Sunday.
To have any hope of making the finals India must claim a bonus-point win over Sri Lanka in Hobart on Tuesday and hope the Sri Lankans lose to Australia in Melbourne on Friday.
After the Sydney match, Indian captain MS Dhoni spoke of his disappointment in two controversial umpiring decisions that went against his side.
Warner said it showed the Indians were desperate.
“We can see the desperation from the Indians this summer … they’re trying to get something out of it,” said Warner.
“They got beat 4-0 in the Test series and now they’re not doing too well in the one-dayers so they’re trying to appeal for anything at the moment.”
Warner rated the Indians as a world class line-up in all forms of the game and said he was surprised by their performance, particularly with the bat.
“They’re a very, very good team and there’s some serious talent in the side.
“They definitely haven’t lost interest, they’re always out there for a contest.
“They’ll find their form eventually, after this series.”
He believed the Indian batsmen were letting little things affect them, such as people moving behind the sightscreen.
“Little things are playing on their minds … so it’s obviously affecting their game.”
Warner believed one-day captain Michael Clarke would be available for Friday’s MCG clash after recovering from a back injury.
“He looks like he’s moving very well and I think he would have played (on Sunday against) India if it was a Test match,” he said.
“Hopefully we do have him back in the team but it will be a tough one for selectors.”
Warner was the most likely to make way for the return of Clarke but his half-century made a case for him to be retained as well as in-form batsmen Matthew Wade, Peter Forrest and David Hussey.
The 25-year-old said he was happy to make some runs and conceded he was still adjusting to the one-day format. – AAP
