We have special plans for Australia: Pacer Shami

Kolkata Sep 13 (IANS) India pacer Mohammed Shami on Wednesday said India have special plans for Australia adding a whitewash is not on their minds as the visitors are a strong cricket unit.

India take on the Aussies in the first of the five One Day Internationals (ODIs) in Chennai on Sunday. Virat Kohli s men will come into the series full of confidence after inflicting a 9-0 whitewash on Sri Lanka over three formats.

"Australia are a tough side. We can t afford to take them lightly. We have got plans for them which I cannot reveal " Shami told reporters here.

Shami who along with Umesh Yadav is making a comeback into the side after being rested in the ODIs against the Lankans said visiting skipper Steve Smith and dashing opener David Warner are always a threat.

"They are world class batsmen. We have plans for them too. It won t be easy against players of that calibre. The Aussies are a much stronger side than before. But we will focus on our strengths " the 27-year-old said.

On the rotation policy of India with regular spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja rested for this series Shami said: "It s a good thing. If key players are rested in a while they get to stretch their legs as well."

In place of the spin duo left-arm spinner Axar Patel chinaman Kuldeep Yadav and leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal will lead the spin department.

--IANS
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