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The Commonwealth Bank Tri-series involving hosts Australia, The World Cup Champions, India and the World Cup runners-up, Sri Lankan begins on Sunday with the first ODI between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. After a 4-0 mauling in the Test series and the embarrassing surrender in the opening T20, Team India finally found that elusive spark of inspiration in the second T20 game to signal an end to their 16 match win-less streak on foreign soil. MS Dhoni and his merry men will be bubbling with confidence to carry forward the slight momentum into the Triangular series. The Awesome Aussies, who have won 18 of the 29 home triangular tournaments, will remain ruthless in their quest to knock over the Asian stars and regain their supremacy in ODI cricket.

(Click here for the Match Report)

Australia:

Australia have the arsenal to overpower any opposition on the planet. Their batsmen are in prime form, their bowlers have tied down the famed Indian batting unit and they pride themselves on their fielding.

David Warner is probably the most dangerous Australian batsman. He has the magical ability of winning games single-handedly. His new opening partner, Mattew Wade, who exploded onto the big stage with a belligerent 72 at the Olympic Park in Sydney, also scores at a rapid pace. The middle order falls into the safe hands of former skipper, Ricky Pointing, current skipper, Michael Clarke and Mr. Cricket, Mike Hussey. The awesome threesome put the Indian bowlers to the sword in the longer version of the game.

Rookie Peter Forest, coming off productive Big Bash season has been called up to Aussie squad this summer. But he will have to wait before he breaks open into the Playing XI. The powerful Dan Christian and David Hussey can hurt India badly in the death overs. Christian will jostle with Mitchell Marsh for the No:7 spot.

Australia's bowling is nothing short of formidable. Brett Lee, perhaps the best exponent of fast bowling, Clint McKay, Ryan Harris and Mitchell Starc form the pace battery. Unfortunately for the hosts, James Pattinson and Pat Cummins have succumbed to injuries. The shrewd Xavier Doherty will be assisted by David Hussey in plugging the flow of runs in the crucial middle overs. Australia will head into the encounter with a 3-1( 3 pacers-1 spinner) attack.

India:

Team India shrugged off the heavy hangover of their Test series whitewash and registered their first triumph of the tour on Friday. The comprehensive 8 wicket win in the second T20 not only helped the guests to level the series but also rediscover the self-belief that was lacking in the tests. India's sleek youths have scripted a remarkable turnaround and will be hoping to get Team India off to a rip-roaring start in the CB series.

The key to India's success will be the form of opening pair Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir made a welcome return to form with a measured half-century in the last T20 affair at Melbourne. It will be interesting to see if India persists with the Delhi duo or if Sachin Tendulkar occupies the opening slot. The Mumbai Maestro, returning to the ODI setup following a long hiatus, lends experience to the Indian line up. Kohli, tipped to be the future Tendulkar can score all round the wicket, temper his game to suit every situation.

Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina failed in the T20s but there is no reason why these talented stroke-makers should not revel in the middle order in the CB series. Ravindra Jadeja is a handy lower order batsman. His left arm spin is a reliable option for the captain to go to and his outstanding fielding skills makes the Saurashtra all-rounder the quintessential limited overs player. Meanwhile, the repeated omission of Irfan Pathan has indeed led to much furore in the media.

In all likelihood, the Men in Blue will field two frontline spinners in R Ashwin and R Sharma. The emergence of the tall Punjab leggie has added a new dimension to the Indian bowling department. While Praveen Kumar was impressive in the T20s the other Kumar, Vinay has been easy pickings. The fiesty Zaheer Khan will lead the Indian bowling. Umesh Yadav will possibly come in for Vinay Kumar.

Form Guide:

Australia: (W L W)

October 28th 2011- vs South Africa- won by 3 wickets

October 23rd 2011- vs South Africa- lost by 80 runs

October 19th 2011- vs South Africa- won by 93 runs(D/L Method)

India: (W W L)

December 11th 2011- vs West Indies- won by 34 runs

December 8th 2011- vs West Indies- won by 153 runs

December 5th 2011- vs West Indies- lost by 16 runs

Squads:

Australia: M Clarke(captain), D Warner, M Wade(keeper), R Pointing, M Hussey, D Hussey, P Forrest, D Christian, M Marsh, B Lee, C McKay, M Starc, R Harris, X Doherty.

India: MS Dhoni(captain&keeper), G Gambhir, V Sehwag, S Tendulkar, V Kohli, S Raina, RG Sharma, M Tiwary, R Jadeja, P Patel, R Ashwin, R Sharma, Z Khan, U Yadav, I Pathan, V Kumar, P Kumar.

Players to watch out:

D Warner: The Blonde Blaster can rip apart bowling attacks during the powerplay at will. Michael Clarke will want his opening batsman to play a long innings to propel the home team to a massive score.

S Tendulkar: The Little Master came under a barrage of criticism for India's horror show in whites. Sachin will be itching to get the 'hundredth hundred' gorilla off his back and bat with freedom to keep India in the driver's seat in the series.

Pitch and Conditions: Historically the MCG has facilitated well balanced contests between bat and ball. A good One day wicket is on the cards. Disappointingly thundershowers are likely to play a bit of spoilsport on Sunday.

Prediction: Indians, back to their winning ways will bring to the Table their turbo charged aggressive brand of cricket to stun the Australians and clinch the 1st ODI at the MCG.

Bonus Prediction: Expect Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar to complete his long awaited hundredth hundred and exhort his critics to eat humble pie.