Before the two former champions meet in their big World Cup 2023 opener in Chennai on October 8, India and Australia will face each other in a 3-match ODI series in India from September 22 to 27 in what will be their final tune-up for the quadrennial showpiece event. The series opener is set to be played in Mohali on Friday with both teams seeking to find some answers to pressing questions about their team combination.India headed into the continental tournament in August-September with quite a few questions surrounding their World Cup look. However, as captain Rohit Sharma pointed out, India ticked a few boxes which came as a big boost to the 2011 champions. India have had the room to rest their 4 key players, including captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, for the first two ODIs of the 3-match series and give opportunities to players who can be potential backups at the World Cup. KL Rahul has got another opportunity to lead the side after his sensational turn of fortunes in the Asia Cup. The major focus for India will be off-spinner R Ashwin, who has come in from the cold. Ashwin has not played an ODI since January 2022. He has played only 2 ODIs in the last 5 years but the senior off-spinner could be in contention to be an eleventh-hour entry in India’s final 15-member World Cup squad. India have had the room to rest their 4 key players, including captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, for the first two ODIs of the 3-match series and give opportunities to players who can be potential backups at the World Cup. KL Rahul has got another opportunity to lead the side after his sensational turn of fortunes in the Asia Cup. The major focus for India will be off-spinner R Ashwin, who has come in from the cold. Ashwin has not played an ODI since January 2022. He has played only 2 ODIs in the last 5 years but the senior off-spinner could be in contention to be an eleventh-hour entry in India’s final 15-member World Cup squad.
