IND vs AUS 1st ODI: India aim to dethrone Pakistan in World No. 1 ODI ranking 

Team India is all set to clash against Australia in the three-match ODI Series from September 22- 27. This will be the last white ball assignment for both teams ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup, which will be hosted by India from October 5. Hence, both will look to experiment with their World Cup squads and cement a solid playing XI for the marquee event.

Meanwhile, the Men in Blue have a great opportunity to enter the premier 50-over tournament with the tag of the World No. 1 ODI team if they manage to upset the Aussies in the upcoming series. India and Pakistan are currently placed second in the Cricket Governing Body's latest rankings with 115 points. On the other hand, Australia are placed third with 113 points.

India can jump to the top if they beat Pat Cummins and Co. in the first ODI at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Friday, September 22. If this happens, India will be ranked No. 1 in all formats of the game. Meanwhile, if the visitors have the last laugh after the first match, they will top the ODI rankings.

Team India (Source: Twitter)

If Rohit Sharma's side loses the ODI series, their arch-rivals Pakistan will remain at the top with 115 points. On the other hand, a series whitewash from Australia will see them jump to the top spot and enter the World Cup as global toppers.  At the same time, India will be slipped to the third position with Pakistan at number two.

India rested Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the first two ODIs

The 2023 World Cup hosts have given rest to senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the first two ODIs. The KL Rahul-led side will be having the services of veteran bowlers Jasprit Bumrah Mohammed Shami and Ravichandran Ashwin. As for Australia, all of their key injured players have been returned to the squad for their final World Cup 'warm-up' series.

India squad for the first two ODIs: KL Rahul (c), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, Tilak Varma, Prasidh Krishna, R Ashwin, Washington Sundar.

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tanveer Sangha, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.