India Australia Series

India v Australia, 1st ODI Preview

Strong rivals India and Australia will resume their cricketing rivalry as they go into the first One-dayer on Sunday with the injury-hit hosts fully aware that a series triumph in the seven-match rubber would catapult them to the number one spot.

The Indians will also be keen to make amends for their Champions Trophy debacle as they take on the world champions in what promises to be a thrilling contest of nerve and skills.

Though Virender Sehwag has returned to bolster the Indian top-order, Yuvraj Singh is unlikely to take the field for the series-opener at the Reliance Stadium. Australia are in super form having clinched the Champions Trophy title, which followed an impressive 6-1 thrashing of England while the Indians have not quite lived upto expectations in recent times.

The hosts were knocked out of the Champions Trophy at the league stage where they could manage just one win. India have done well in the last couple of years and would take inspiration from the fact that they had beaten Australia in their own den when they clashed last in a One-day series.

But India have a less-than-impressive One-day record in bilateral series against Australia at home, having won seven and lost 12 of their 23 encounters over the years.

The match starts at 9 am IST.

Tags: Australia, India