Cook leaves with mixed feelings

England skipper Alastair Cook is leaving India with mixed feelings.

With World champion India winning the five-match series 3-2, Cook said, “We’ve had a really good couple of years in ODIs, so we’re a little disappointed with the result, but we take a lot of positives.

Speaking to mediapersons on Sunday, Cook pointed out, “When we play to our potential, we win. When we have played well, we put India under some pressure. Obviously, in games two and three, we didn’t do it.

“It was very important to end the series on a high. There’s always disappointment when you try and win a series, then lose 3-2. I thought the way the lads performed today was really good. It was an important toss to win, but you still have to execute your skills.

“I thought our opening bowlers did that very well. (With India at) 49 for four, we had a great chance to win and we did that,” was how Cook chose to reflect on Sunday’s match.

He chose Ian Bell’s match-winning unbeaten 113 for special mention. “Belly's hundred today was outstanding.

“It sometimes is easy to talk but to go out there and do it like he did is something we can take a lot from.” Talking of the positives, Cook appreciated the way James Tredwell, Steve Finn and Joe Root shaped up in the series. “We learned a lot about some players. James (Tredwell) has had an outstanding series. He just gets on with his business and produces the goods. Steven (Finn) has bowled well again and Joe (Root) coming in, who wasn’t an original selection, has taken his chance very well. It’s been a young squad here and with the seniors coming back, that adds a lot of competition for places,” he said.