Australia may have tasted resounding success on the last trip to India but that isn't to suggest the team's task is going to get any easier this time during the three-match ODI series, beginning January 14 in Mumbai, acknowledged pacer Kane Richardson. Especially against a quality Indian side, led by the great Virat Kohli, that is often too good for its visitors as proved right throughout this long season at home. 

"I think the home team is always favourite. I think on the back of last year, I think Finchy (Aaron Finch) has said no team has ever won here back to back. It's going to be so hard," Richardson told reporters. 

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"India in India is always the biggest challenge and after what happened last year they will be ready for it. Confidence is up but the home team is always favourite. We are the underdogs."

The 28-year-old hailed an India tour as the "biggest challenge" for an Australian bowler considering the flat wickets and small boundary dimensions. "It's the biggest challenge in white-ball cricket, coming over here and playing against India on the surfaces over here," he said. "It's a lot different than Australia. The ground sizes are a lot smaller than Australia, (and) mis-hits can often go for six."

"It's something we have spoken a lot about. I think everyone in the team has played here before, so it's nothing new," he added. "Starting today we will figure out a plan to stop some of those guys. It will be a high-scoring contest I'm sure."

Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc are ahead of him in the pecking order but Richardson doesn't mind being the "next guy in". 

"It would be nice to take the field with all three of them or a couple of them. I don't know how it's going to pan out in terms of selection. I'm comfortable being that next guy in."

"I have always spoken about if injuries or form happen to be the next guy in. So if I could take the field with those guys it gives you a lot of confidence that hopefully when I come onto bowl there are two or three down early."

If he plays, however, Richardson will hope to settle the debates over his quality at this level. "I think it is just through performance on the field," he said. "You can improve away from the game all you want but I think it was just about performing. The Big Bash last year after doing well got me back in the fold and then injuries happened."

"And then try and be the next guy in. Always try and stay on top of my game and improve but I'm back in this team because I performed at the level below," added Richardson, who was in and out of the playing XI during last year's World Cup in UK. 

(Inputs from PTI)