India's tour of Australia: Barinder Sran could be surprise package in visitors' bowling attack

New Delhi: India's new recruit Barinder Sran could step up and be a pivotal figure in the side's bowling attack after the latest hamstring set back for Mohammed Shami.

With Shami's participation in the ODI and T20 series against Australia starting from January 12 in doubt, India will have to rely on the likes of Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma and Barinder Sran.

Sran had a positive day for the visitors in the T20 warm-up game against Western Australia on Friday after claiming figures of 2/24 in four overs. He had Shikhar Dhawan praising him after the match and his approach has been very positive to start with.

The comments by Dhawan will definitely boost Sran's confidence after the southpaw claimed he is a bright prospect for India.

Sran is likely to make the Indian starting XI if Shami is declared injured on Saturday. Sran will hope for a good outing in the ODIs and bag the opportunity with both hands.

It presents the 23-year-old with a chance to be India's surprise package for world champions Australia who will come hard.

Youngster Jasprit Bumrah who has been put on stand-by for the series against Australia, is likely to join the squad in place of Shami. Skipper MS Dhoni has a young pace attack and it will be a perfect platform for him to unleash his pacers.

Meanwhile, the spin department looks healthy for India with R Ashwin leading the line. Left arm spinners Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja bowled well on Friday and choked the Western Australia batsmen.

It is between them that Dhoni will likely select one bowler for the ODI series. It gives a good selection headache as the bowlers are on their toes with a lot of competition around them. Not to forget is all-rounder Gurkeerat Singh who bowls spin and can serve Dhoni as an utility man in the side given his batting abilities too.

India will play a 50-over warm-up game prior to the first ODI against Australia staring on January 12.