India vs Australia: Sunil Gavaskar bats for left-arm pacer Barinder Sran's inclusion for 1st ODI

Gavaskar feels that India have an advantage over Australia in the five-match ODI series.

New Delhi: As India are set to lock horns against Australia in the first ODI at WACA (Perth), former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar on Monday put his weight behind Punjab's pacer Barinder Sran.

The legendary opener, who seemed hopeful that left-arm seamer will get a chance to play in the opening match, feels that he could create angles to trouble the batsmen.

“The new man from Punjab has impressed in the two games (warm-up). Also Bhuvneshwar Kumar has just arrived in Australia and would be feeling jet-lagged after a long flight.

"Also the fact that Sran is a left-armer is an advantage as it helps to create an angle. If he could use the ‘Freemantle Doctor’ that blows during the afternoon in Perth, it is known to help swing bowlers,” Gavaskar told NDTV.

The former player is also of the view that MS Dhoni-led side has an advantage over the home team in the five-match ODI series.

“The two Mitchells — Johnson and Starc, who have been such an integral part of the team are not there, which makes Australia’s new-ball attack inexperienced. If the Indian team can get off to a good start, they will not be easy to beat. The first two matches will be important as you need a good start,” Gavaskar further told the TV channel.