The upcoming seven-match ODI series between India and Australia provides an opportunity for the visitors to regain the No. 1 spot in ICC World rankings. Currently second on 115 rating points behind India (123), the George Bailey-led Aussies should win comprehensively to dethrone MS Dhoni’s confident men from the top.
Hard-hitting Australian opener Aaron Finch is aware of the challenges that the tourists face in India.
“It is going to be a really exciting series. We have a chance to get back to No. 1. India hold the World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy. They have a great side, who play in their own conditions really well. Australia have a very good record in India. We have to play really well and be at the top of the game to get back to No. 1. But, as the old cliche goes, we will take one game at a time and hopefully get some momentum early in the series,” Finch said here on Sunday.
Finch is not new to India, having exhibited his skills in the Indian Premier League for Pune Warriors, Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals. He said adjusting to the hot conditions is a challenge.
“This is my ninth visit to India. It never gets any easier adjusting to the heat. India is obviously a great place to play cricket. The crowd is so enthusiastic. Their love for cricket is huge. It gets better with every time I come here. Am sure this tour will be no different.”
The 26-year-old Victorian right-hander who is keen to settle down in the Australian top-order, recently scored big hundreds in the limited overs series in Britain. He scored 148 against Scotland in Edinburgh last month and was involved in Australia’s second highest stand for any wicket in ODIs — 246 — with Shaun Marsh. Less than a week prior to this, Finch tore apart the English attack to come up with a world record score in Twenty20 Internationals — 156 off 63 deliveries with 11 fours and 14 sixes. Finch was hopeful of carrying on from where he and his team left off in the UK.
He said: “I thought I played pretty well in England. I did not score as many as I’d have loved to in the ODIs against England. To win the ODI series in their own conditions is tough and I thought we played really good cricket and have the momentum going in the series.”
The Australians, minus those involved in Sunday’s Champions League T20 final, arrived here on Saturday night and had a recovery session at the pool followed by light training at the CCI. They will leave for Rajkot on Tuesday evening, where they open their tour with a one-off T20I on October 10.
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