IND vs AUS: Rohit Sharma explains how Ashwin, Jadeja and Kuldeep can feature together in India playing 11

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IND vs AUS: Ahead of India's first match of the World Cup 2023 against Australia at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday, captain Rohit Sharma has revealed the team template which can accommodate all the three spinners - Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja - in India playing eleven.

Rohit Sharma praised Hardik Pandya and called him a genuine pacer before hinting that India can play all their three tweakers on spin-friendly Chennai surface.

"I don't really consider Hardik Pandya as just a seamer. He's a proper fast bowler, who can crank up good speed," Rohit Sharma said in the pre-match press conference on Saturday.

"So that gives us an advantage. That gives us that luxury of playing three spinners and three seamers as well you know so there's a possibility that we can play three spinners on this pitch with three seamers as well.

"So it gives us that balance gives us that number eight batting option as well. We have to come here again tomorrow afternoon and see what the pitch looks like but yeah, three spinners is definitely an option," he added.

The 36-year-old also gave an update on Shubman Gill's health. The young opener is down with fever and being monitored on a "day-to-day basis". He said the right-hander has not been ruled out yet. Rohit Sharma also asserted that the 24-year-old was sick and not unfit.

Captaining India in an ODI World Cup big deal for me: Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma, who is set to feature in his third ODI World Cup, said leading India in the "biggest" cricketing event was a big deal and huge honour for him.

"It's a huge honour to be part of this World Cup team, firstly, and then being the captain," Rohit Sharma, who has also led India in a T20 World Cup, added.

"The 50-over World Cup is the biggest sporting event in cricketing history. So, for me, this is the biggest event that I will be part of. And being the captain as well, yes, it's a huge honour. I don't know how to describe that because it's a big deal for me."