Mohali/IBNS: India's stand-in captain KL Rahul won the toss and elected to bowl first against Australia in the first of three One Day Internationals (ODIs) here on Friday.

Rahul is leading the team as India's regular skipper Rohit Sharma, his deputy Hardik Pandya and star batter Virat Kohli have been rested for the two matches.

Australia captain Pat Cummins said at the toss that Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell were not quite ready.

As was said by India's head coach Rahul Dravid, Suryakumar Yadav is in the playing XI which also features Ravichandran Ashwin, who has made a comeback in the side.

Pinning faith on Ravichandran Ashwin's abilities, Dravid on Thursday said though he has not played a lot of ODI since January 2022, he has the ability to deal with it, having rich experience with him.

"Having someone of Ashwin's experience to come back is always good for us. He has got the ability to be able to contribute with the bat at No. 8.

He is someone who we have always thought of where in case there were certain injuries or opportunities opened up, he was always part of our plans," he said.

India XI: S Gill, R Gaikwad, S Iyer, KL Rahul(C/WK), I Kishan, S Yadav, R Jadeja, R Ashwin, S Thakur, J Bumrah, M Shami

Australia XI: D Warner, M Marsh, S Smith, M Labuschagne, C Green, J Inglis(WK), M Stoinis, M Short, P Cummins(C), S Abbott, A Zampa