India vs Australia, 1st ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Toss - Australia opt to bat

Ashley Turner will be making his debut for Australia. Usman Khawaja is included as well. For India, they haven't included Rishabh Pant but Ravindra Jadeja gets a game ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal. With Bhuvneshwar not included for the first two ODIs, Shami gets into the XI. Vijay Shankar gets a go as well. Australia want to bat first in these hot conditions.

Teams:

Australia (Playing XI):Aaron Finch(c), Usman Khawaja, Marcus Stoinis, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Ashton Turner, Alex Carey(w), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Jason Behrendorff

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(w), Kedar Jadhav, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

Build up

India and Australia, the last two World Champions, are all set to meet for the 24474635th time in the last four months. Despite the familiarity, this is going to be one massive series for both these sides. At least Australia will have five more ODIs after this series to fine-tune their World Cup plans but for India, this is their last ODI assignment before the mega event in England. Their 15 is almost settled but two or three spots could well be finalised by the end of this series. Both teams will be keen on finding some answers.

Can Mohammad Shami usurp Bhuvneshwar Kumar as India's second seamer behind Jasprit Bumrah? Can Rishabh Pant make use of this opportunity to become India's second-choice wicketkeeper for the World Cup ahead of Dinesh Karthik, who strangely has been left out for this series? How about Vijay Shankar? He was nowhere to be seen in the ODI picture but suddenly, he is in the mix to make it to the final 15. For Australia, Glenn Maxwell has made a case to bat higher up the order and there is now a three-horse race for the fourth seamer's slot.

Despite these questions, Virat Kohli has made it very clear that winning the series is the team's top priority. Australia did shock them to an extent in the T20Is by defeating India in both the games. Maxwell proved to be the difference and it will be interesting to see if he can carry forward that form into the 50-over format. Will Kohli be given a go at No.4 like Ravi Shastri had mentioned not so long ago? The thinktank is considering splitting the top 3 and will they be fine doing it directly at the World Cup? That will be a very bold move. We will find out soon. Welcome to the live blog for this opening ODI in Hyderabad.