Australia vs India 2018-19, 1st ODI: Australia's predicted playing XI

Australia lost 2-1 to India in the historic 4-Match Test series and added to their sorry run of games. They have yet another challenge to face before India leave for New Zealand, a 3-match ODI series. They will certainly look to bounce back and give confidence to themselves and their fans with decisive and aggressive cricket.

Australia's ODI Squad: Aaron Finch(c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa

Having said that, their selection choices for the 3-match ODI series have come under severe scrutiny. Former Aussie greats have expressed their displeasure on excluding the pace bowling trio of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood and while this might have been due to their workload, players like D'arcy Short and Travis Head's omissions might just backfire on them.

Here is Australia's Predicted XI for the first ODI.

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Openers - Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja

Aaron Finch(R) and Usman Khawaja(L) will look to get going in the first ODI

Aaron Finch will be itching to get some runs under his belt especially after he was dropped for the 4th Test. The Aussie skipper's numbers last year were impressive, especially his performance in Australia where he scored 332 runs in 6 matches augurs well for his name.

He will be one key player for Australia and if Finch can get going, he can get Australia a much-needed victory.

Usman Khawaja is a solid option for the struggling Aussie top order. Though he can't get going very quickly, Khawaja can hold the innings together from the top and can be dangerous as the innings progresses. He's a great partnership builder and his foray into this team can do some wonders for them.

Middle-order - Shaun Marsh, Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell

Maxwell and Handscomb will be key players for Australia

Shaun Marsh has been one of the lone solaces to a struggling Aussie ODI team and has batted responsibly since his resurrection back into the one-day setup. Marsh has scored 416 runs in 7 matches against daunting Proteas and English bowling attacks averaging a brilliant 59.42. Marsh will want to play a long and big innings and combat the Indian bowling attack.

Peter Handscomb will occupy the spot where Travis Head played and will look to provide some finesse to their batting. He has batted in many positions in the Big Bash League and he can adapt quickly.

With no better options and Mitchell Marsh struggling to find his nick, Handscomb after his fighting knock against India might make the cut. His good Big Bash form and knock in the 4th Test are signs of great things to come.

Australia will want Glenn Maxwell to fire on all cylinders against India. Maxwell has had a decent time in the Big Bash captaining the Melbourne Stars and will look to carry his form here. He might have to play a minor role with the ball as well on a Sydney wicket which will offer some turn later into the day. There are more chances of Stoinis batting ahead of him though, considering the latter's great form.

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All-rounder and Wicket Keeper- Marcus Stoinis and Alex Carey

All Rounder Marcus Stoinis can certainly prove to be dangerous to India especially after returning to the team in red hot form from the Big Bash League. Under Maxwell's captaincy, Stoinis has thrived at the top of the order and has bowled his full quota of overs with great accuracy.

Australia will hope that he gives a double-edged performance with both bat and ball. All things considered, Australia might want to bat Stoinis at number 4 or number 5.

Wicket Keeper Alex Carey will also serve as Aaron Finch's deputy. Another opener in the Big Bash League, Carey's attacking instinct can help them as well as hurt them. Carey must bat at higher positions like against South Africa and can again push Maxwell further down the pecking order.

Spinner - Adam Zampa

Adam Zampa

Adam Zampa could edge Lyon for the spinner's spot, considering the latter's workload and the former's great form in the Big Bash league. While Lyon has failed in limited overs games, Zampa has provided a few memorable performances and has been doing a good job for the Melbourne Stars. He gave the Indian batsmen a lot of trouble during the T20I series and Australia would certainly want some of that from him this match.

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Fast bowlers - Jhye Richardson, Peter Siddle and Billy Stanlake

Billy Stanlake can be the differential for Australia this series

Jhye Richardson has been exciting to watch with his energy and sprightly self on the pitch. He has certainly earned his spot in the team and being a relatively unknown entity, he can surprise the Indian batsmen on the day of the match. Right now, he seems on course to edge his Perth Scorchers teammate Jason Behrendorff for a spot in the starting lineup.

Peter Siddle will be the more experienced pacer in this trio and he is set to get a spot in the ODI team after Australia chose not to play him for the 4th Test. Someone who has played a lot of cricket wearing the Baggy Green, Siddle seems to have reborn in his new death-bowling role for the Adelaide Strikers. He will look to have a crack at the Indian batsmen at the start before coming back when the team is in need of wickets.

Billy Stanlake will be the X-factor for the Aussie pace attack with his enormous figure and height which allows him to extract the extra bounce and seam off the wicket. He was a threat in the T20 format against India and will certainly look to put the Indian batsmen under pressure with his pace especially when the ball is new