Ind vs Aus 2019: India is the best ODI side in their own backyard, says Aaron Finch

What’s the story?

Australian ODI captain Aaron Finch has stated that India is the best side in the 50-over format in their home conditions.

In case you didn’t know?

Australia takes on India in a 5-match ODI series that begins from 2nd March in Hyderabad. India are currently placed on the 2nd position in the ICC ODI rankings table while Australia are on the sixth position.

The heart of the matter

Australia would be looking to take revenge from India who had recently beaten them on their home turf for the first time in a bilateral ODI series. M.S Dhoni was adjudged as the Man of the Series, scoring three successive half-centuries and helping the team create history.

Australia will be without their premier fast bowlers, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Although, they have a very potent bowling attack in the form of Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins and Jhye Richardson, who was brilliant in the recently concluded ODI series in Australia. Current Australian ODI captain Finch clinched the Big Bash League title with the Melbourne Renegades and will be hoping to continue his winning run.

Finch was highly appreciative of the current Indian ODI team. Speaking to the press, Finch said, "I don't think you need anything to put pep in your step when you're going on an Aussie tour, particularly to India. If you're slightly off the mark you're going to get hurt. They're the best side in one-day cricket in their own conditions, I think. So you've got to go there full of confidence and have a real clear game plan."

What's next?

Both the teams will face-off in a 2-match T20I series beginning from 24th February in Vishakhapatnam before moving on to the 50-over format. It would be India’s last ODI series before the 2019 World Cup and they would be hoping to continue their rich vein of form.