'India will continue to be the No. 1 team in the world'

'Hope the Aussies can perform well and win but it is going to be tough, India are always tough in their own backyard.'

Former skipper Michael Clarke on Friday warned Australia ahead of their One-Day International series against India next month, saying it will be a difficult outing for the visitors as Virat Kohli's men will be tough to beat in their own backyard.

"One-day cricket is different from Test cricket, so I imagine that the wickets will be good. You will see some entertaining one-day cricket, hope the Aussies can perform well and win but it is going to be tough, India are always tough in their own backyard," he said in Mumbai.

The Virat Kohli-led side has won nine Test rubbers on the trot, the latest being the 3-0 whitewash against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka.

Clarke lauded Kohli for leading the side very well.

"I haven't played for two years, so I haven't played against this current India team. They are doing extremely well, winning at home, winning away," Clarke said.

"Look they are led very well by Virat Kohli and they are playing some great cricket, if they are good enough to continue winning, then they will continue to be the number one team in the world," he added.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been the backbone of India's bowling in the last couple of years, picking up wickets at a record-breaking rate in Tests.

When asked if Ashwin could be successful overseas, Clarke replied: "Ashwin is a wonderful bowler, no matter where he plays.