India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is all set to lead the country for the first time in the 50-over format as the hosts take on Australia in the first ODI at the Wankhede Stadium today. 

Pandya, the vice-captain for the series, will be leading the team here, as skipper Rohit Sharma has opted out due to family commitments. Pandya has led from the front to help India win seven out of the 11 T20Is he has captained in and reckons ODIs are just an extension of the shortest format. “Obviously, I’m very honoured [to lead in ODIs for the first time]. It fills my chest with pride and I look forward to the new challenge in as many games as possible,” Pandya said at the pre-match press conference on Thursday.