India not expecting ODI walkover

India's vice-captain Rohit Sharma insists Australia are still a quality ODI side and won't be a walkover, despite resting their premier quicks and a dreadful recent record in the format.

Quicks Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have all been rested from the three-match series that starts on Saturday at the SCG.

Of that trio, only Hazlewood played in the last ODI series against India in Australia in 2016 and he participated in only the first of the five games.

"We were still beaten 4-1," Sharma said.

"Of course those three are their premier bowlers but they have got the guys who can do the job for them.

"Their bowling lineup can put us under pressure without a doubt.

"It's not going to be an easy walkover situation for us.

"We've got to grind it out there, face the challenge and make sure that we put them under pressure.

"Of course the team is high on confidence right now, so we've got to carry that into this format as well and make sure that we keep doing the right things."

Defending World Cup holders Australia won just two of their 13 ODIs last year, while India racked up 14 wins, four losses and two ties in 2018.

India are ranked second behind England, while Australia have plummeted to sixth.

Sharma expected Australia to show fight at home while suggesting the losses of banned batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner had impacted on the side.

"Obviously they are missing a few players but that puts a little bit of pressure on their batting group," Sharma said

"But Australia still is a quality team. I strongly believe that because of a few individuals who can take the game away from you."

Sharma has returned to Australia after missing the final Test so he could be in India with his wife and recently born first child. .

"It is very emotional but when I'm here it's only about the team and the game," he said.

"Of course when I go back to my hotel, I will try and see what my little daughter is doing."

Gillette ODI Series v India

Australia ODI squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Adam Zampa

India ODI squad: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma (vc), KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

First ODI: January 12, SCG (D/N)

Second ODI: January 15, Adelaide Oval (D/N)

Third ODI: January 18, MCG (D/N)