Australia vs India 2018-19: We Won't Walk Over Aussie ODI side: Rohit Sharma

Indian National Cricket team vice-captain Rohit Sharma insisted Australia are still a quality ODI side, and the upcoming series won’t be a walkover, despite resting their premier paceman and a dreadful recent record in the format. Meanwhile, the selectors have rested Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc for the three-match ODI series starting from January 12 (Saturday).

Of that trio, only Hazlewood played in the last ODI series against India in Australia in 2016, and he participated in only the first of the five games. Rohit Sharma feels it will be a challenging series and they have to put the opposition under pressure.

“We were still beaten 4-1,” Sharma said. “Of course those three are their premier bowlers but they have got the guys who can do the job for them. Their bowling lineup can put us under pressure without a doubt.

‘”It’s not going to be an easy walkover situation for us. We’ve got to grind it out there, face the challenge and make sure that we put them under pressure. Of course, the team is high on confidence right now, so we’ve got to carry that into this format as well and make sure that we keep doing the right things,” he added.

Rohit Sharma expects Australia to show some fight

Defending World Cup holders Australia won just two of their 13 ODIs last year, while India racked up 14 wins, four losses and two ties in 2018. Despite their poor record, Sharma believes the Aussies will give a good fight although they are missing some of their important players.

“Obviously they are missing a few players but that puts a little bit of pressure on their batting group,” Sharma said. “But Australia still is a quality team. I strongly believe that because of a few individuals who can take the game away from you,” he concluded.