But the Rohit Sharma-led team has it's fair share of problems in terms of picking an ideal playing XI.
With Jason Krejza failing to convince that he has it in him to trouble the Indian batsmen in the forthcoming Test series, Australia decided to rush in Victorian all-rounder Cameron White as replacement for injured spinner Bryce McGain.
Rajasthan Royals would be keen to adapt quickly to their new 'home ground' when they lock horns with last season's runner-up Kings XI Punjab in their campaign opener in the Indian Premier League in Pune.
Australia remain optimistic about their Twenty20 World Cup campaign despite being shown up in all facets by India in the opening two matches of their current series. With Steve Smith leading an advanced party to New Zealand for the forthcoming ODI series, the Australians have made more changes to their XI, with Shane Watson to lead the side after skipper Aaron Finch suffered a hamstring injury in Friday night's second T20 defeat. In-form top-order batsman Usman Khawaja comes into the squad as Finch's replacement, and will likely open the batting alongside Shaun Marsh. Finch is awaiting scan results and the Australia camp is bullish he will be able to return before the start of the World Cup in India on March 8.
The lure to play an extra bowler in Hardik Pandya along with an in-form Rohit Sharma in the opening Test against South Africa has cast doubts over Ajinkya Rahane's place in the playing XI despite having the best away record among the current crop of batsmen.
Shastri wants both Ashwin and Jadeja in Indian playing XI for WTC Final
The concept of day-night Tests has Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke a little concerned as he feels it would be difficult to bat under floodlights in the longer version of the game.
Dinesh Karthik is all set to make his last IPL appearance in the 2024 edition.
Rohit Sharma and Manish Pandey sparkled with half-centuries but rest of India's batsmen put up a lackluster performance before the bowlers came good to hand the team a 64-run win over a second string Western Australia XI in the warm-up one-day cricket match at the WACA, in Perth, on Saturday.
SunRisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner praised leg-spinner Rashid Khan after his superb showing with the ball against Kings XI Punjab on Thursday, saying it is great to have a bowler like him in the team.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing for the second and final Test against South Africa?
The ground announcer who was stood down for allegedly introducing England spinner Monty Panesar in a mock Indian accent, is seeking clarification from Cricket Australia (CA) over his removal after denying any slur was made.
Kane Richardson says coach Andrew McDonald 'camped out' at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday night to check on dew
Who do you think should be part of India's playing for the first Test against South Africa?
Former Australia captain Aaron Finch believes the 285-run first innings partnership between Steve Smith and Travis Head made the difference in the World Test Championship final.
India coach Duncan Fletcher has made both local media and Cricket Australia set-up paranoid ahead of the four-match Test series starting on December 26.
The Indian team management quelled concerns over Ishant Sharma's fitness after the pacer walked off bowling just 5.3 overs on the opening day of their first practice match against Cricket Australia Chairman's XI in Canberra on Thursday. Team officials insisted that Sharma left the field to remove some strapping from his ankle that had loosened and was uncomfortable with it.
The decision to rest Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the last two ODIs against West Indies has drawn a lot of flak, but Ravichandran Ashwin defended the team management's call saying critics were finding fault for the sake of it.
Australia captain Michael Clarke is pleased with whatever batting opportunity he and his teammates had against Scotland on Saturday and said every member of the squad was 'switched on' for the knockout stage of the World Cup.
The opening batsman has been named in the squad that will challenge world champions Australia in one-day matches on Oct 5, 7 and 9.
Josh Hazlewood, who was released by RCB, has been bracketed in the top-of-the-line Rs 2 crore base price in Tuesday's IPL auction.
'I would have picked Ashwin for his batting, let alone his bowling. That is why I can't believe he isn't playing because he has got five Test centuries as well. It is very strange.'
'We were not disappointed with the loss. We didn't lose the match because of experiments, sometimes conditions also matter.'
On Thursday afternoon, class XI student Sameer Khan was making life difficult for the 6'4" tall Marcus Stoinis during Australia's net session ahead of the opening ODI against India.
Star all-rounder Kieron Pollard will lead the Trinidad side whereas Darren Sammy will lead the Caribbean Select XI.
Tendulkar, Sehwag and Rahul Dravid figure in the one-day and Test squads, while Anil Kumble is in the Test squad for the Super Series against Australia.
In the absence of the injured Ollie Pope, big-hitting Harry Brook has been promoted to No 3 in what is a must-win Test for the hosts.
The first Test Australia hosts against India this week is set to be fraught with conflicting emotions as players return to battle with a mixture of relief and apprehension after the tragic death of Phillip Hughes.
Rajneesh Gupta previews Game 6 in IPL 12: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab.
Ravi Shastri was reappointed as the India head coach, the BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee announced on Friday.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the Asia Cup match against Pakistan?
The South African said his players would go all out in the remaining two matches.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting dropped a hint to his country's selectors that they revisit David Warner's place in the playing XI if he continues to fire blanks in Test cricket in the sub-continent.
Swashbuckling Australia opener David Warner intends to play in the 13th IPL if it happens this season, his manager said on Thursday, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to wreak havoc on the world.
The Indian team management will try to keep cards close and assess defending champions England's batting depth when the home team takes field for its first World Cup warm-up match game, in Guwahati on Saturday.
India's senior batsman Cheteshwar Pujara is expecting a strong showing from Ravichandran Ashwin in the upcoming Test series against Australia.
What changes must India make to the playing XI for Friday's second T20 International against Australia?
Bowlers performed brilliantly to calm down some talks about the side's recent issues with the ball.
