5 KEY BATTLES: INDIA V AUSTRALIA

With an eye on the top spot in ODI rankings, India and Australia enter a five-match ODI series on Sunday. HT looks at the players who will be key to their respective teams.

KOHLI v SMITH

Virat Kohli is averaging a staggering 92.45 after 18 ODIs this year, and the Steve Smith-led Australia face a monumental task against the India captain in the upcoming series. Smith will have to get into the same mode that he was in the Test series earlier this year in order to stop the Indian juggernaut.

ROHIT v WARNER

Rohit Sharma is averaging over 75 in ODIs this year, and the series presents him with another opportunity to improve further. David Warner is coming off a successful tour of Bangladesh with two fabulous hundreds, and the onus will be on him to provide brisk starts in the absence of Aaron Finch.

PANDEY v HEAD

It is a battle between players aiming to cement their spots. While Manish Pandey has shown promise at No 4 at a time when India are weighing options, Australia have tried several batsmen so far. Travis Head or Peter Handscomb will be tested at No 4. Head may get in ahead of Handscomb with his spin bowling skills.

PANDYA v MAXWELL

Hardik Pandya and Glenn Maxwell are aggressive stroke-players, and have shown great form in recent matches. As far as bowling is concerned, medium-pacer Pandya may come across as a better wicket-taking option than off-spinner Maxwell, who has not bowled a great deal in ODIs of late.

UMESH v CUMMINS

Umesh Yadav and Pat Cummins can change the course of games with early breakthroughs. Umesh, who is coming off a break, has been a consistent performer for India in this format. On the other hand, Cummins would aim to make the most of the absence of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.