Will be in WC squad if I can make opportunities count like this one: Maxwell

Australia star player Glenn Maxwell rued that he could have finished the game and said he still have a lot of work to do to secure a ticket to the World Cup-bound squad, the deadline for which is two months' away

The touring Aussies, over the years have found it really difficult when it comes to tight finishes. But this was not the case in the 1^st T20I on Sunday against India.

Set to make 127 for victory, Australia were well on course riding Glenn Maxwell's brilliant 43-ball 56 knock. The 30-year-old was a key contributor in Australia's last-ball win, helping his side scrap past the line in the final over to beat India by three wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

However, the star performer rued that he could have finished the game and said he still have a lot of work to do to secure a ticket to the World Cup-bound squad, the deadline for which is two months' away. But, some more innings like the half-century in a winning cause against India will certainly bolster his case.

"I have no idea if I am going to be in that World Cup squad or what number I'm going to bat, so I suppose it just comes down to opportunity -- if I can keep making most of opportunities like tonight," Maxwell said at the post-match press conference.

However he agreed that he would have to not just contribute but also close in a few more matches.

"If I can turn those sort of innings into not-out, 75-ish, and be consistent that way, I think I can probably go a long way in penciling my name for the World Cup and hopefully continue that job for the rest of this year," Maxwell said.

"A lot of times when you come over here and you get into these close games and you lose them so often. The home crowd can get behind the team and you can lose. It can just put your momentum back," Maxwell said at the post-match news conference.

"Probably, we got ourselves into trouble by the last over. Probably, we should have lost if it wasn't for Cummins and Richardson. It was outstanding. It can just bring the whole group together," Maxwell said.

The win will be a great confidence booster for the unit ahead of the World Cup as they try to build the momentum. 

"To have a result like this on our first game on tour is great for our confidence and something that we can hopefully ride and build the momentum. Hopefully, we can start off our World Cup preparation on a good note."

(With PTI inputs)