Five-time champions Australia are set to kick-off their World Cup campaign against hosts India in a much-anticipated clash at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Sunday (October 8).

Australia’s past teams were known for their aggressive demeanour on the field, but the current side under Pat Cummins’ leadership goes about their business quite calmly.

"It's more a reflection of who we are as a people. With every team you have different characters," Cummins told reporters on the eve of Australia’s World Cup opener.

"Our guys are pretty chilled out, so I am always proud saying the players out there in the field are similar to who they are off the field."

The Australian team under Steve Waugh and particularly Ricky Ponting never hesitated to sledge the opposition players.

When asked about the in-your-face attitude of past legends, Cummins rather talked about his team's restrained approach.

"Times change, that's 20 years ago," he said. "That doesn't come naturally to our guys, we want to go about our work quietly."

Nonetheless, the Australian skipper feels that the World Cup might bring out the aggressive side of his troops.

"I think you're going to see some boys get fired up at different times. We're all passionate. We're all ridiculously competitive," he said.

"So, I never really mind if a couple of our boys are puffing the chests out and getting themselves into the contest."

Dealing with the home side's passionate fanbase will be a challenge for the Australian team, but Cummins is up for it.

"The home crowd is going to be noisy and very one-sided which is nothing new. It's great," he said.

"It's always tough playing against someone on their home ground, but with that also comes pressure. A billion fans watching them closely, cheering them on."

Australia are sweating over the fitness of leading all-rounder Marcus Stoinis ahead of their World Cup opener.

Stoinis picked up a sore hamstring during the first ODI of Australia's 2-1 series defeat in India last month.

Providing an update on the all-rounder, Cummins said: "Stoinis is still touch and go. He is going to have a run this afternoon. Probably will have to jump to through a few hoops and we'll see."

Maxwell returned bowling figures of 4/40 in the third ODI against India in Rajkot, Cummins said the former remains an integral part of the 50-over team.

"I think in one-day cricket more than any other formats you need all-rounders," he said. "We feel really blessed to have people like Cam Green, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis in the side. They're like gold. It means you can bat deeper, so we feel in a really good place."

(With AFP Inputs)