Ponting's absence could hurt Australia

Australia would be looking to extend their 11-match unbeaten run in ODIs when they take on India in a seven-match ODI series. Australia's last ODI was the win in the World Cup final against Sri Lanka, while India went down 3-4 in the last series against England.

Australia have an edge over the hosts especially since 2000, having lost only three of the last ten games. The series begins with the first ODI in Bangalore, where India have won all their matches against Australia barring the previous game in 2003.

Ricky Ponting, the Australian captain, is still suffering from a hamstring strain that he picked up during the ICC World Twenty20. Since the start of last year, Ponting has missed 11 ODIs, with Australia winning only four and losing seven in his absence.

Sachin Tendulkar has been India's most prolific batsman against Australia, having scored 592 runs against them at home in the last ten ODIs, with VVS Laxman averaging above fifty as well. However, other than Rahul Dravid, no other Indian batsman in the current line-up has managed to hold fort against the Australian bowlers, even at home.

The top three - Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting - have fired for Australia against India, all averaging above 40 in matches since 2000 in India.

Ajit Agarkar, the highest wicket-taker for India at home against Australia, has been dropped for the series, while the other bowlers have failed to make an impression. Interestingly, Tendulkar is the only Indian bowler to take a five-for at home against Australia, in Kochi, the venue of the second ODI, and has picked up 10 wickets at 27.50 apiece.

Nathan Bracken will miss the first few ODIs of the series as he's back home to attend the birth of his first child. Among the current crop of bowlers, he's the most successful against the hosts in India, with 15 wickets from seven matches. The rest of the bowlers have limited experience of playing against India.

Australia's part-time bowlers also have done well against India, with Andrew Symonds picking up 20 wickets at 35.70, while Michael Clarke has nine wickets at an impressive 23.66.

Australia's domination since 2000 in matches in India can be attributed to the success of their batsmen, with the partnerships for the first three wickets averaging over 50.

In the last ten matches against India in India, Australia average a high 44.30 against India, who manage 30.91.

Australia have a better record against the hosts while batting first in India, having managed to defend a target in four matches since 2000. In the six matches that they batted second, they have a 3-3 win/loss record, indicating India's chances of a win increase while batting first. Following are the overall records for both the teams when they have played each other in India: