India vs. Australia Prediction: India are coming off a dominating Asia Cup win

India will be facing off against Australia in the first game of the three-game series at Mohali Stadium. India are coming off a dominating Asia Cup win while Australia lost the series against South Africa after going 2-0 up. Who will win this game?

India delivered a stellar performance in the recent Asia Cup, clinching the title for a remarkable eighth time. Although they have chosen to rest several senior players for this series, it presents a valuable opportunity to assess the form of other players before finalizing the World Cup squad.

The team will be under the leadership of KL Rahul, who made a triumphant return to ODIs with a splendid century against Pakistan. He will be joined at the top of the batting order by Shubhman Gill, while the middle order will feature the likes of Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, and Suryakumar Yadav.

For the initial two matches, Hardik Pandya will be on the sidelines due to rest, and Ravichandran Ashwin is set to make his comeback to the ODI squad after an absence of nearly 19 months. India has also included Washington Sundar as an all-rounder, potentially as a replacement for Axar Patel if the latter is unable to regain fitness in time.

The seam bowling attack remains largely consistent, featuring India's frontline bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami, with Shardul Thakur and Prasidh Krishna as additional options.

It is anticipated that India will provide playing time to some of the bowlers who did not participate in the Asia Cup, allowing their key pacers some much-needed rest. While this Indian team is not lacking in talent, it's worth noting that a second-string Indian squad faced defeats against the West Indies and Bangladesh in the recent Asia Cup.

KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Shardul Thakur, R Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Following a disappointing conclusion to their South Africa tour, Australia is eager to regain form as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup.

After grappling with a series of injuries that have plagued the team in recent months, most squad members have successfully recovered and are set to commence their preparations. David Warner is expected to partner with Mitchell Marsh, who will step in as the opening batsman in the absence of Travis Head, whose World Cup participation remains uncertain due to a hand fracture.

Steve Smith is likely to occupy the number 3 position, followed by Marnus Labuschagne. Australia boasts the presence of talented all-rounders like Glenn Maxwell and Cameron Green, and the return of Ashton Agar adds to their depth.

However, the most significant boost for Australia comes from the return of their fast bowlers, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc. They will be complemented by Nathan Ellis and Josh Hazlewood, while Tanvir Sangha and Adam Zampa will handle the spin attack.

This series provides an ideal opportunity for Australia to assess their World Cup squad's performance in Indian conditions. The team has showcased an aggressive brand of cricket in recent months, a trend expected to continue in this series.

While the team's challenges against spin are evident and may pose a hurdle, it's important to note that Australia's current squad closely resembles their first-choice lineup, in contrast to India's selection for the first two matches.

Adam Zampa, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, David Warner, Sean Abbott, Alex Carrey, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins

The pitch at this venue is anticipated to favor batsmen, with historical first-inning scores averaging around 275 runs. While the fast bowlers may enjoy some early movement and bounce, the pitch is expected to mellow out as the game progresses. Weather conditions are forecasted to be warm and humid, accompanied by ample sunshine.

Both Australia and India rank among the top ODI teams globally, setting the stage for a closely contested match. India's formidable reputation on home turf is well-established, but the absence of senior batsmen may pose a challenge in this encounter. Australia, a powerhouse in world cricket, appears well-equipped to outmatch the Indian team. Expect a high-scoring game.