India's pace attack on right track, says Kohli

India's limited-overs batting pedigree is rarely in question but the attack too, is growing serious teeth, Virat Kohli said, as he considered the World Cup on the horizon. India are without Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar for this series, and had also chosen to rest Ravindra Jadeja for the first ODI, but nevertheless turned in a strong bowling performance, to comfortably defend 363.

Ishant Sharma made the most impact in his first game since January, sending down eight menacing overs that claimed four wickets and conceded only 34 runs. Umesh Yadav was even more economical going for only 24 runs in his 6.2 overs, and both men delivered the kind of short-of-a-length bowling that is likely to be effective on quicker, bouncier pitches in the Antipodes.

"I've been very impressed with Umesh since he came back from injury," Kohli said. "Ishant is experienced and he has bounced back after a not-so-good season in ODIs last year.

"But Umesh has pace and he can trouble batsmen even on flat wickets. He's working on his death-bowling. Ishant is a world-class bowler and it's great to see these guys bowling well near the World Cup. A strong pace attack is needed in Australia and we're on the right track."

Others in India's pace stable include Varun Aaron, who was clocked bowling at over 150kph in Cuttack, and Dhawal Kulkarni, the right-arm medium-pace bowler.

"Varun's pace is an advantage but Umesh is doing the same. Ishant can bowl in the 140kph-range as well. Shami is also quick. Dhawal is not quick but he can be consistent. Bhuvi can swing both ways - things are looking bright for us going into the World Cup."

The attack has variety, with R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja turning the ball either way, and the spin stocks also run deep. Left-arm spinner Akshar Patel has five ODI wickets at 21.80 so far. Encouragingly, Kohli said, many of the frontline bowling options are capable of contributing with the bat as well.

"We have a few people coming in now. Ashwin has been more than good with the bat, and everyone knows Jadeja can be a perfect allrounder for us," he said. "Akshar has a very good temperament and is a strong contender. Binny is there as well. Any of these four people, or Karn Sharma, can be very handy. Any of these people can be the star for us. We have a lot of options."

Kohli was typically upbeat about the batting, as might be expected after two totals of over 325 on the trot. Each of India's top three batsmen, including Kohli, have struck hundreds over the last two games.

"The batting has come together very nicely over the past one-and-a-half years - it's not just recent," Kohli said. "It's been a gradual process. The guys are comfortable in their batting spots.

"The whole idea of this series is to try different people at different positions and see how they react, without neglecting the fact that we have to win. It's all about infusing that confidence into these people. We have to figure out the best combination for us."