Following the conclusion of the exhilarating four-match red-ball series, team India will host Australia in a three-match ODI series. The white-ball contest is scheduled to kickstart on Friday, March 17 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The tourists are without their regular skipper Pat Cummins and Steve Smith will captain the side in the ODI series against India. Smith was in-charge of the third and fourth Test matches as the skipper and the touring party lost the series for the fourth time in a row, ending scoreline as 1-2.

On the other hand, the Men in Blue too will not have the likes of Rohit Sharma leading the side for the first ODI due to family reasons. Deputy of the side, Hardik Pandya, will shoulder the responsibility for the first One-Day clash.

Speaking about the head-to-head records in the ODIs, the two cricketing powerhouses have played 143 matches. Australia has a massive upper hand in these matches after winning a total of 80 ODIs. India, on the other hand, has triumphed in 53 games. The last ODI series between the two powerhouses was played in 2020 where Australia won the series 2-1.

The likes of David Warner and Glenn Maxwell return to the squad following their respective injuries. Ashton Agar too makes a comeback after an impressive season in the recently concluded Marsh Cup. While both sides boast several high-profile players, surely an exciting series awaits. 

Furthermore, considering that the 2023 ODI World Cup is on the horizon, both the fierce rivals will look to obtain a ‘core’ team just in time for the marquee event. The series proves to be a crucial one and the think-tank of both teams will look to ideate plans and look to get their combinations right. 

Additionally, as the mega ODI event takes place on Indian soil, the Aussies will look to make the most of it to understand the pitch conditions before the returning on it in October.