I didn't watch the game. Will comment on Australia later...
Here would be my Indian side for the first ODI:
1. Sachin Tendulkar
2. Virender Sehwag
3. Irfan Pathan (India really need a settled ODI number three)
4. Suresh Raina (NB)
5. Rohit Sharma (NB)
6. MS Dhoni (capt&wk)
7. Robin Uthappa (future opener, but has excelled at seven)
8. Praveen Kumar
9. Harbhajan Singh
10. Sreesanth
11. Munaf Patel
NB: The worst of the noted players should be replaced by Yuvraj Singh when he is fit.
Ok, I have picked the team with some thought. No Gautam Gambhir simply due to his appalling ODI record in a fair few games. Poor strike rate, poorer average - how can he be persevered with? He has not even done well in domestic one day games.
Dhoni at six and Uthappa at seven simply because he has excelled there as a chasing finisher and a quick runs at the end finisher.
Munaf over Ishant was not an easy choice.
I completely disagree with this line-up of yours.
A few major points which you have hihglighted : -
1. Gautam Gambhir
Agreed that he hasnt really been upto the mark in ODIs,but he has done really well in domestic cricket.And tell me,how many domestic ODIs did he play in ? I'd say give him some more time.I'm sure that by the end of the Aus tour,he will have developed inot a fine player.
2. Number 3
Gautam Gambhir will be included and will play at 3.Irfan,well I really dont know whether it would be wise to experiment on Aus pitches with him at 3.
Maybe Irfan can go to No.6 and provide some delight lower down the order.
3. Uthappa
Uthappa has excelled at No.7 in only 1 match.He is a very aggresive opener and he should be up at No.3 /4.
4. Yuvraj
Without Dravid the No.3 spot would go to Yuvi,but it depends to be seen what form he is in.I'd swap Suresh Raina for Yuvi.He should bat at 5.Incase, YUvi is unavailable,Raina is a good option but he needs to bat lower then.
I'd really like to see Dhoni bat higher.
5. Munaf-Ishant
First up,Munaf doesnt deserve a plac ein the squad.He has hardly excelled since his inclusion in the team.Point out one instance wherein his bowling has won a matc for us.
Ishant,on the other hand seems to be in great form.Would be wise to play him,else it would be like discouraging a youngster.
My line-up:
Tendulkar
Sehwag
Gambhir
Uthappa
Dhoni
Yuvraj/Raina
Irfan
Kumar
Harbjanan/Piyush
Sreesanth
Ishant