Gill's new captaincy chapter, with Rohit-Kohli by his side

It can’t be lost on India that the only ODI defeat that mattered in the last five years came against Australia in a World Cup final watched by 120,000 at home.

- Somshuvra Laha

To square up against the same team, sans Pat Cummins who had taken pride in how ‘satisfying’ it had felt to silence Ahmedabad that night, should motivate India to start well in a three-match ODI series beginning on Sunday at Perth.

India haven't played this format since the Champions Trophy win though, while Australia are better versed in it, having played South Africa in August. There is no Jasprit Bumrah as well — he plays only the T20Is — so there is plenty to ponder.

The most intriguing subplot of what should be a well-contested series is the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, giants of the game hedging their bet on extending their one-day careers till the 2027 World Cup. And since well begun isa job half done, the onus is on them to not look out of place after spending nearly seven months away from the India team.

The hype generated by their return already reflects in the ticket sales as at least 50,000 spectators are expected at the Optus Stadium, a figure which has only been reached twice in the venue's history.