Relieved India aim for a positive start to tri-series

After going through a horror period during the Test series, the visitors lost the first T20I at Sydney but finally got the first win of the tour, thumping the home side with a solid performance in the second T20I at Melbourne.

The focus now shifts to the tri-series which includes a third team in Sri Lanka. India would be looking to carry forward the momentum into the first ODI as they meet Australia at the MCG.

The India bowlers were lackluster for most part of the first T20I but they hit back well in the death overs which was a little too late. Their batting order totally crumbled under pressure.

The bowlers rectified their mistakes and hit back well in the second T20I which pegged the Aussies back. The batsmen then played intelligently to achieve the team a much needed win.

Gautam Gambhir looks in fine nick after a promising half-century in the second T20I. Sehwag has been horribly out of form and needs to fire big time. Sachin Tendulkar will return to the ODI side after a nine-month lay-off so Rohit Sharma or Suresh Raina might have to sit out. Zaheer Khan will in all probability spearhead the pace attack after sitting out of the T20Is. They may go in with three seamers and Umesh Yadav may be included in the team.

Australia have lots of changes as compared to the T20I side, Michael Clarke will lead the side, while Rick Ponting and Michael Hussey will return to the team. The bowling department will be led by Brett Lee followed by Mitchell Starc and Ryan Harris.

The last time these two met in an ODI at the MCG, the visitors drubbed the home side by five wickets in 2008.

Both teams would be looking to start on a positive note and draw the first blood with a long series ahead.