AUS vs IND 2016: Tough fight between Gurkeerat Mann, Manish Pandey ahead of 1st ODI

New Delhi: Just ahead of the first ODI between India and Australia at WACA, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni indicated that there is a tough fight between all-rounder Gurkeerat Singh Mann and aggressive batsman Manish Pandey for a place in the starting eleven.

Dhoni is yet to decide who among the two will make his debut in opening match, scheduled to take place on Tuesday at Perth.

Without dropping a hint Dhoni said that it would depend on who fits better at No.6 slot.

"We have to pick one of the two (Gurkeerat and Manish) to bat at No 6 and we have to see which batsman fits that slot. It is a very difficult position to bat. It will depend on what the top four or five batsmen have done, and according to the need of the game, we'll make a call.

“But ideally, Nos 5 or 6 is a slot where it's good to have individuals, who can adapt and who are not rigid about their batting slots," Dhoni added in the pre-match press conference.

Dhoni feels playing at the top level demands a certain degree of flexibility, which is a key ingredient for success in all good teams.

India's limited-overs skipper also made it clear that India have no option but to field three fast bowlers and two spinners in the five-pronged attack for the first match.

"Most likely it will be a 3-2 combination. We don't really have a seaming all-rounder. Who the players are, we'll have to wait and watch," added Dhoni.