Too much pain for Dhoni and Co in Vadodara

Players from both sides have insisted time and again that rankings are not important and that their focus is only on winning the series

Players from both sides have insisted time and again that rankings are not important and that their focus is only on winning the series. But it's always great to be called No I and there's no doubt Australia would like to hang on to that title as they take on India in the first of the seven-match ODI series on Sunday.

For second-ranked India, clinching the series and going to the top will surely be a motivation. But what's not helping MS Dhoni's team are the bowling worries and injuries. The pacers have struggled without spearhead Zaheer Khan in recent times. Though the Indian batting has got a better look to it with the return of Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh, the swashbuckling left-hander is likely to miss the game with a finger injury.

Dhoni at the Vadodara nets. PIC/ATUL KAMBLE

"If someone gets injured while batting or fielding, there's no cover for that. So, in a way, we have been a little unlucky with injuries in recent times. But we have to work around it and do our best," Dhoni said.

The team has also struggled with their fielding and particularly the catching. Australia have the momentum of beating England 6-1 and then winning the Champions Trophy. They also have quality all-rounders in Shane Watson, Cameron White, James Hopes and Mitchell Johnson, something which Dhoni conceded is a big plus.

Adding to Australia's advantage is the fact that some of their men have got used to Indian conditions by playing the Champions League T20.

"They (NSW and Victoriau00a0 players) have been in India longer than many of us, so that's got to help. The first two games could be a little hard on them as they have played a lot of games and now have to come straight into the series. But they are professionals, who have done this before so I am sure they will be able to adapt quickly,' said vice-captain Michael Hussey.