Prior to the ODI World Cup, Australia is back on top.

After defeating the hosts 2-1 in the series, Australia, who now leads the world rankings in one-day cricket, will return to the subcontinent for this year's World Cup.

Only a few months ago, Australian Twenty20 cricket appeared to be at a crossroads, with Aaron Finch resigning as one-day captain and the Twenty20 team failing to advance to the World Cup semifinals at home.
 

Yet Australia's ability to quickly reset, rebound and ultimately dominate was on display again in India where they sealed the series with a 21-run win in Chennai on Wednesday under stand-in skipper Steve Smith. 

It was India’s first defeat in an ODI series on home soil since Australia beat them four years ago.

"I think in World Cup years, it can be very easy to look too far ahead," all-rounder Mitchell Marsh said. "But we really wanted to be focused on this series and make sure that our focus was winning games for Australia.

"So, really proud of the guys efforts to be able to beat the number one team in the world in their backyard.

"It's a great achievement ... Very proud of the lads and it's the first step towards our World Cup."

India host the 13th edition of the World Cup in October-November.

Australia, five-times champions in the 50-over World Cup, were missing bereaved regular captain Pat Cummins for the series and veteran opener David Warner for the first two matches but covered for them well.

Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc demolished India in the second match with a five-wicket haul while Man of the Series Marsh, opening the batting with Travis Head in place of Warner, topped the scoring with 194 runs at an average of 97.00.

While Adam Zampa was Man of the Match with a four-wicket haul, selectors will have been buoyed by the performance of Ashton Agar in Chennai where the second spinner turned the game on its head by removing Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav in successive deliveries.

The left-armer had previously had a disappointing tour of India, going unnoticed by selectors for the duration of the four-test series, which the hosts ultimately won 2-1.

It has undoubtedly been a mediocre six weeks for him, according to Marsh.

But Ash is one of my closest friends and is among the strongest people I know.

And for that reason, he has been able to play whenever he represents Australia.