Australia expect India to come back strong in ODI series, says Kuhnemann

New Delhi: Despite being outplayed in their seven wicket loss in the rain-truncated first ODI, India are formidable enough to come back strongly in the three-match ODI series, believes Australia spinner Matthew Kuhnemann.

India lost Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and skipper Shubman Gill within the first nine overs of their innings and could manage to post only 136 for nine in the first half that was interrupted repeatedly by rain.

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Australia comfortably chased down their DLS-revised target in 21.1 overs in the contest reduced to 26 overs as India slumped to a heavy loss in the first game of their white-ball tour.

But Kuhnemann said India are a top team with world-class players who can bounce back after the huge defeat in the series opener.

“I think they'll come back real strong. Like I said, they're a world-class team and it's going to be a great series, With the one-dayers and the T20Is, it's going to be awesome,” he said.

Kuhnemann picked up 2/26 in four overs, dismissing Axar Patel (31) and Washington Sundar (10), credited his T20 experience for the performance in the match that practically turned into a T20.

“When we kept coming on and off, the one stage I didn't think I was going to bowl. Even bowling at the end there, I sort of knew it was going to be a tough ask,” he said.

“But I've sort of been around this group now for a little while and especially the T20 side of things. I spent a lot of time the last six months on that sort of role in T20 bowling so it came handy today.”

The left-arm spinner said speaking with Australia limited-overs’ spinner Adam Zampa and assistant coach Daniel Vettori helped him improve his performance.

“Whenever you get a chance to travel as a team, it's amazing. The success I've had over for a long time now is awesome. Whenever we get an opportunity to sort of play, you've got to jump at the opportunity. I absolutely love playing with this team and it was pretty special to get a win here,” he said.

“I've spent a lot of time with Zamps (Adam Zampa) for the last three months especially and working with Vettori. And, yeah, T20 career, even though it's a one-day game, you've got to sort of be able to bowl from any over from one to 20, especially as a finger spinner.

“Always sort of learning off them boys and especially Zamps just being an excellent bowler for this team for a long time now,” he added.