Chennai, Oct 25 : Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has said that the seven-match one-day series between India and Australia would be "hard fought".

The first game of the series is being played in Vadodra today.

"I am expecting a very hard fought series. India would be trying their best back from their disappointment in Champions Trophy and Australia would be on a high from it. So a great rivalry is formed between the two countries and India do play well in their home country. There would be intriguing battle between the spinners of India and batting of Australia," said Gilchrist.

World champions Australia won a second successive Champions Trophy in South Africa, reaffirming their superiority in the one-day game after a 6-1 series victory over England following their Ashes defeat.

World number two India exited in the first round of the Champions Trophy. Gilchrist also showered praise on the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni as Indian captain.

"Dhoni is a wonderful cricketer. He has amazing calmness. He doesn''t ever seem to panic," said Gilchrist.

India has been strengthened by the return of the explosive batting pair of Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh from injuries while the tourists have been weakened with injuries to leading players. (ANI)