NEW DELHI: Australia captain Mitchell Marsh was caught off guard when Adam Gilchrist posed a question that left him momentarily in suspense during the presentation ceremony after the fifth T20I between India and Australia was washed out in Brisbane on Saturday.
The former Australian wicketkeeper-batter directly asked Marsh who would lead Australia in the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka - him or Pat Cummins.
5th T20I: India clinch series 2-1 as rain has the final say in Brisbane
Here's how the conversation between Gilchrist and Marsh unfolded:
Gilchrist: Who leads? You or Pat? Is Pat going to captain the World Cup squad if he's fit, or will you hang on to the captaincy?
Marsh: That's a good question, Gill. I think I'll be there.
Gilchrist: So you're the official T20 captain? Pat Cummins comes in, so he's going to play under you?
Marsh: I think so, yeah.
Gilchrist: Thanks for clarifying. There have been a few questions around the same.
Marsh lauds players efforts despite series defeat
After winning the ODI series, Australia went down 1-2 in the T20I series against India, but Marsh praised his side's depth and adaptability.
"I can't remember the last time we played and had so many rain interruptions. All in all, it was a great series. India obviously won the games when it mattered - congratulations to them," Marsh said.
The Australian skipper said the tour helped his team test its bench strength and combinations ahead of next year's T20 World Cup.
"There's a lot of learnings to take forward. The adaptability and flexibility in our group and the squad we're trying to build in a World Cup year has been amazing. Guys have come in, done really well, played their roles - that's all we can ask for," he added.
