Ind vs Aus ODI series: World Cup spots up for taking as Aussies look for best World Cup playing XI

Australia come into the ODI series high on confidence after they pulled off an impressive 2-0 win against the 'Men in Blue' in the recently played T20 series. The Aussies sought revenge after they lost both the Test and ODI series to Kohli and his brigade on their home soil

Aaron Finch-led Australia take on a formidable Indian team in their own backyard as the first of the five match ODI series gets underway at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad from Saturday.

Australia come into the ODI series high on confidence after they pulled off an impressive 2-0 win against the 'Men in Blue' in the recently played T20 series. The Aussies sought some sort of revenge after they lost both the Test and ODI series to Kohli and his brigade on their home soil. The Aussies have tasted decent success against India in bilateral series played at home winning ODI series in 2007 and 2009. However all their last three bilateral ODI series against India have resulted in losses. The Baggy Greens suffered a humiliating 1-4 loss to the Indians, the last time they locked horns in a bilateral ODI series in the sub continent. 

With the World Cup just two months away, Australia still do not know their best playing eleven and would look to find out answers to the same in the series against India.

Australia squad for ODI series against India - Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, D Arcy Short, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Ashton Turner, Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa and Andrew Tye.

In the absence of their seasoned opener David Warner, Australia would be looking to find an apt replacement for the pocket dynamite as the showpiece event in England is just round the corner. While Warner's regular opening partner Aaron Finch who witnessed an extended slum of form is likely to get another run at the top of the order, the Aussies could yet again spring a surprise with Usman Khwaja opening the innings along with Finch. T20 specialist D Arcy Short who earned a place in the ODIs courtesy his good run in the Big Bash league would fancy his chances of getting a go at the top of the order.

In the prolonged absence of their ever consistent middle order workhorse Steve Smith, there are spots up for the grabs in the middle order, likely to be taken up. Peter Handscomb who is considered a good player of spin would like to make the most of his opportunity in sub continent conditions.Meanwhile if Usman Khwaja dosent open the innings, the southpaw shall be a vital cog for the Aussies in the middle order, holding anchor at one end.

Australia would be more than delighted with hard hitting batsman Glen Maxwell's rich vein of form in the T20s as they would require him to finish the innings with a flourish down the order in the 50 over format. In the absence of Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis would look to play the role of the finisher alongside the Big Show.

Spin always plays a key in any form of the game played in the sub continent and the Australians know . Test specialist Nathan Lyon who has got a new lease of life in white ball cricket would look to once again cast a web around the Indians on spin friendly wickets.Lyon had the better of the Indians with some match winning performances in the longer format when he last toured India. Meanwhile Adam Zampa who had the Indian skipper Virat Kohli in trouble in the recently concluded T20s has his last opportunity to make an impact in front of the selectors ahead of the World Cup.

With the tried and tested pace duo of Mitchell Starc and Jos Hazelwood not part of the ODI touring party, Pat Cummins would have his task cut out to lead the Aussies pace attack. The likes of Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason Behrendorff and Jhye Richardson are all major contenders to book a ticket to London. The selectors will keep a keen eye on who among them can create the maximum impact.