India hoping to break home jinx against Aussies

The number one ranking may be a huge motivation for India to win the seven-match one-day series against Australia, but, above everything else, there is also a hoodoo to break.

It is 22 years since India last got the better of Australia in a bilateral series at home, and the hosts are keen to set the record straight.

But the task on hand is not as easy as it seems. Australia are on a roll, having routed England 6-1 and won the ICC Champions Trophy, while India, with injuries to key players, are struggling after being knocked out of the Champions Trophy.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni admitted that the side that takes on Australia in the first ODI on Sunday would not be a completely fit unit. He himself was struck on the back of the knee during practice, while Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir also suffered minor injuries.

But Dhoni believes playing with a little bit of pain has now become part of modern day cricket.

"Well, most of the guys are fit, to be precise. I think in sports-related injuries you can stop injuries that are fitness-related, but if somebody gets hit while batting or fielding, that is one area where you can't do much because the practice sessions are so intense right now that you try to give your best.

"At times you get injured during the practice sessions and that is part and parcel of the game, but if it happens too many times in the same span you can say you are a bit unlucky. Most of the guys have small niggles but they are not major injuries you can say," Dhoni said in Vadodara on Saturday.

Yuvraj Singh did have a hit in the nets in the last two days, but he is still doubtful for Sunday's match. Even Dhoni was not sure about his selection for the first match.

"I won't comment on the playing eleven; you will get to know about it tomorrow. Well, definitely, he [Yuvraj] will play the second game and that is for sure."

It also seemed strange that Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh opted to miss the crucial practice session on the eve of the match, which was termed "optional".

Dhoni sought to defend his wards, saying: "Today was an optional session, as before the day of the match most of the times we have an optional session. They preferred to opt out since it was an optional session."

Dhoni rued the lack of quality all-rounders in the Indian team and said the Aussies are better on that count, which gives them the edge as far as picking a team is concerned.

"When you are talking about all-rounders they are crucial, because when you have good all-rounders you can play with five specialist bowlers. Definitely, they [Ausatralia] have the luxury because they have players who can bat well and bowl well at the same time. When it comes to having all-rounders you can say they are a side which has better talent," he said.

But the Indian captain said the team would make it up by using part-timers as the fifth bowler

"We have often relied on the part-timers and they have contributed, especially when they get a bit of assistance from the wickets. But, at the same time, we will also see what is best for the team. Definitely, that is one thing on the mind whether we will play five specialist bowlers or not, it will be too early," he said.

Dhoni further believes that a long seven-match can be a blessing in disguise since a team that has started badly can always bounce back.

"This series is a long series and this gives you an opportunity to come back into the series if you lose the first few games. It is a seven-match series so you have ample time in between because the span of the series is quite long. So it is important to play good cricket throughout because it is not like a five-game or a four-game series where you win the first few games and the tournament is in your hands," he said.

He refused to believe that the presence of six Australian players in the Champions League Twenty20 would benefit the visitors in the ODI series.

"Before going to the World Twenty20 we played in the IPL and people said we are exhausted. It is about how you take it. You can say it gave them good exposure, but, at the same time, you can say they are exhausted because of the tournament. as it finished yesterday.

"I think it will depend on the result, because if they get a good result you will say we gave them good practice, but if they lose you will say they were exhausted because of the Champions League," said Dhoni.

The sacking of bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad and fielding coach Robin Singh was clearly evident as Ashish Nehra was seeing giving the pacers fielding practice. Mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton took the players through their usual fitness routines.

Dhoni admitted that their absence was being felt.

"We are doing whatever we can. We are trying to make the most of the resources that we have got."

The last time the teams played at this venue in October 2007, India were thrashed by nine wickets after being bowled out for a paltry 148. Australia will no doubt take confidence from that game. Meanwhile, India will be hoping history doesn't repeat itself.