Captain Ricky Ponting admits he will have to take on extra responsibility with the bat during Australia's seven-match one-day series in India.

The Champions Trophy winners start the series in Vadodara on Sunday ranked as the number one side in the world.

But they are missing injured batsmen Michael Clarke and Callum Ferguson.

"I've played some of my best one-day cricket over the last few months. A lot of responsibility is on my shoulders as the number three batsman," he said.

Australia thrashed England 6-1 in a one-day series before heading off to the Champions Trophy in South Africa, where they beat New Zealand in a one-sided final.

The challenge will be how our middle-order batsmen cope with playing spin bowling

Ricky Ponting

"We could not have done better than we did in the last few one-day games, but we have a fresh set of challenges here," added Ponting, who turns 35 in December.

"India has a very good and strong one-day team and we are not underestimating them.

"We are the number one and number two teams in the world and this points to an entertaining and good contest.

"The challenge will be how our middle-order batsmen cope with playing spin bowling."

Ponting also hopes left-arm spinner Jon Holland, who is currently playing for Victoria Bushrangers in the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 competition in India, will have an impact after being selected as Nathan Hauritz's understudy.

The 22-year-old has a modest domestic record but has been given a chance to gain international experience.

India, meanwhile, will be boosted by the return of key batsmen Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh from injuries.

India squad: Mahendra Dhoni (capt & wk), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Harbhajan Singh, Sudeep Tyagi, Munaf Patel, Amit Mishra, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Ashish Nehra.

Australia squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine (wkt), Shane Watson, Cameron White, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, Jon Holland, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges.

First one-day international: India v Australia
Venue: Vadodara Date: Sunday, 25 October Time: 0330 GMT

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/cricket/other_international/india/8318301.stm