India and Australia trained in Mumbai on Sunday for the upcoming three-match ODI series. While the short duration of the limited overs clash is bound to leave many disappointed, fans can still look forward to some high-intensity matches between two of the best teams in the world.
Australia have taken their game to the next level following the return of Steve Smith and David Warner last year. They will also be buoyed by their performance in their last ODI series in India in early 2019, when they came back from 0-2 down to win the series 3-2.
This time, the Aussies have arrived with an even stronger team. As things stand, Aaron Finch's team have a problem of plenty with proven performers like Usman Khawaja and Glenn Maxwell not part of the squad.
The series is crucial for Australia as it sees the return of Smith to the No3 position for the first time since 2018.
"There is a fair chance Steve Smith will bat number three," interim coach Andrew McDonald told the AAP.
"The top three fall into Warner, Finch and Smith. And then the conversations start about how we will go through the middle and what balance we want to play."
India too have a problem of plenty. KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan fight for the opener's slot and four pacers and three spinners jostle for the bowlers' positions.
The three-match series begins in Mumbai on Tuesday while the second match will be held in Rajkot on January 17. Bengaluru will host the third ODI on January 19.
All three venues are high-scoring grounds and totals of 300 and more should be the norm.
Meanwhile, Australia trained with wet balls at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday as part of their preparations for dew which is expected on Tuesday.
"Andrew McDonald camped out here last night to try and see what time the dew came in," fast bowler Kane Richardson said. "Who knows, everyone is guessing. I think everyone is prepared. We're going to train with some wet balls so we can practice that. It's nothing new, we have dew back home as well."
