England signed off their tour of India with victory in the fifth one-day international, but captain Alastair Cook insists only a series win would have left him fully satisfied.
The tourists came away from the breathtaking ground at Dharamsala with a seven-wicket success after Ian Bell carried his bat in the second innings for a match-winning 113 not out.
Bell faced 143 balls, hit 13 fours and one six as he carried England over the line, while Tim Bresnan took the bowling honours with four for 45 as India were dismissed for 226.
Cook was full of praise for his side’s efforts in the final match, but was mindful not to let the result overshadow the three defeats that came before it.
“We’re not really in it for ‘decent efforts’,” he said.
“It was very important to end the series on a high but there’s always disappointment when you come to try and win a series then lose 3-2.
“We’ve had a really good couple of years in ODIs, so of course we’re a little bit disappointed in the result of the series.
“It’s probably a little frustrating. I said at the start of the tour that when we play to our potential we win games, and when we have played well here we’ve put India under some pressure.”
England’s next assignment is just around the corner, with the first Twenty20 warm-up in New Zealand taking place on February 4.
Cook will not join up with the side until the ODI matches later in the month.
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