Aaron Finch believes India is heavily reliant on their top-three and that gives the hosts a good chance to exploit their vulnerable middle order during the three-match ODI series, kickstarting in Sydney on Saturday, January 12.
The Australian skipper reiterated that his bowling unit will look to bowl Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli out cheaply in order to put further pressure on the likes of Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav and even the great Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"Over the last 12 months Virat's averaged 133, Shikhar 75, and Rohit 50; so there's a lot of runs and balls faced from their top three. It's important to get them as early as you can because once they get in, they score fast and they don't seem to get out too easily," Finch was quoted saying during the pre-match press conference on Friday, January 10.
"Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, Dhoni these guys that can all play their part as well. The top three are very important but you can't just look at that otherwise there's someone else that will catch you off-guard and get the job done as well."
Australia has already announced its playing XI that sees wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey being promoted to open the batting, while Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis shoulder the finishing off duties.
"It's just an opportunity to see Alex play in a position he's done quite bit in Big Bash and one-day cricket. He's been shuffled around the order a bit in the last little while... we are trying to search for that process and right balance of the side," the right-hand opening batsman further said.
"We've got three games here which will be very tough then straight to India for five ODIs then Pakistan so that's a very tough 13 games, then a few warm-ups and practice games against New Zealand."
While fast bowling giant Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the one-dayers, Finch is aware of the threat that the tourists still possess with the ball.
He said, "Bumrah has played a huge part for their one-day side, or all their sides. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is someone who has had success at all levels as well. The two spinners have played a huge role in Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal over the last month as well."
"There are no real weak links in their side. They've got an extra spin option in the squad with Jadeja, Kedar who can bowl some off-spin. They (India) have got left, right-arm, spin, leg-spin, off-spin, so they've got plenty of options... They play their own conditions very well but I think the amount of times they're winning away from home in the shorter formats is a credit to them," Finch concluded.
(Inputs from cricket.com.au)
