India look to spin in their Cricket World Cup 2023 opener against Australia

India captain Rohit Sharma has hinted at going in with three spinners for their opening match of the 2023 World Cup against Australia in Chennai.

The MA Chidambaram Stadium is known to assist slow bowlers and the hosts have the luxury of world-class spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, the first two being proper batsmen as well.

With all-rounder Hardik Pandya proving a more than capable fast bowler, the Indians could have just two frontline quicks in Jasprit Bumrah and either one of Mohammad Siraj and Mohammad Shami.

"I don't really consider Hardik Pandya as just a seamer. He's a proper fast bowler, who can crank up good speed," Sharma said on the eve of Sunday's clash.

"That gives us that luxury of playing three spinners and three seamers as well. 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."

The India captain said playing a World Cup win at home was "unfinished business" for his team.

India have suffered a world title drought since the 2013 Champions Trophy and last won the World Cup on home soil in 2011, under the captaincy of MS Dhoni.

Sharma, 36, remains one of India's biggest stars but time is running out for him to hoist his own trophy.

"You heard the great man [Sachin Tendulkar] say that until he won the World Cup he had a bit of unfinished business'," the opening batsman added.

"It's the same for us as well," he said. "It is the biggest prize that you can have in your career.

"Luckily for us the seniors, they have played lot of cricket and know how to stay under that radar. And then leave a lot of things to the almighty. We need that luck in the