Usman Khawaja scored another masterful ton to script the foundation for Australia’s convincing 35-run victory in the fifth and final ODI at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi on Wednesday (March 13). With this win, the visitors also clinched the ODI series 3-2.
Khawaja finished the ODI series as the highest run-scorer with 383 runs including two centuries and the left-hander was rightfully adjudged Man-of-the-Series.
Addressing the press conference after the match, Khawaja said: "It's huge. Just winning a series in India is huge. It's a tough place to come and play cricket, against a very good side. They beat us in Australia, so to come back from those first couple of losses and win three in a row to win the series is a great feeling.”
"We're playing well right now. We are just going to enjoy this series win at the moment. We've still got another five one-dayers to come against Pakistan, who are also a decent side. For us now it's not to look too far ahead, we want to enjoy this win first," he added.
Australia were trailing 0-2 in the series after the first two ODIs but they bounced back remarkably to seal the series. It was also their first ODI series win since January 2017.
When asked if this performance makes Australia favourite to defend their World Cup title, Khawaja said, "I'm not sure. The World Cup is still pretty far away. We've have played some really good cricket. Moving forward it doesn't matter. There are new games, new teams, new wickets.”
"After playing cricket for a long time, I know if you look too far ahead you get in trouble. We have got to keep our heads down, keep working hard. Hopefully if we do that, everything else will take care of itself," he further remarked.
Although banned cricketers Steve Smith and David Warner are not part of the Aussie squad that will take on Pakistan in a five-match ODI series in UAE from March 22, they are expected to make their way into the World Cup squad.
On being asked if the current players are aware of the competition for batting slots, Khawaja said, "I don't think anybody is really thinking about that."
"Everyone's just really enjoying playing cricket right now. Playing one-day cricket in India is always tough. But winning the last couple of games has been very enjoyable. Even the first couple of games we lost, I think there was a really good vibe in the group.
"Everyone was working really hard, having a lot of fun outside of it and during training and everything that goes with it. I think everyone's gelled really well together. Everyone's just really enjoying the success we've had over the last 3 games. Nobody is really looking too far ahead."
Commenting on his own terrific performance, Khawaja said he is pleased to have contributed in the team’s victory.
"Feeling good at the moment. But never take it for granted to be honest. To be honest I am enjoying the wins more. It's nice to get runs but it always hurts when you don't win," he said.
"From a personal point of view it's huge. Man-of-the-series in a one-day series in India. I wasn't in the one-day side this time last year. To be here in India and winning this series, it's massive. It's always a tough place to play cricket for any Australian. You've got the conditions, the crowds, so I think from a personal point of view it's really satisfying to come back to the one-day side and contribute,” Usman Khawaja concluded.
