India vs Australia: Mahendra Singh Dhoni Chases Sachin Tendulkar's Record -- Approaching Batting Milestones in ODI Series

The five-match ODI series between Australia and India will be the first bilateral series to be played Down Under. Australia and India have played seven five-match ODI series and all of them have been played in India.(Can India's Pace Battery Fire Against Australia?)

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, probably leading India for the last time in Australia, needs 31 more runs for 1200 runs. If he gets them, he would become the second Indian to score 1200 runs against Australia after Sachin Tendulkar, who has amassed 3077 runs against the Aussies.(Steve Smith Ready for Indian Challenge)

If Dhoni scores 1200 runs, he will become the sixth batsman to do so in Australia-India ODIs. Others are -- Tendulkar (3077), Ricky Ponting (2164), Adam Gilchrist (1622), Mathew Hayden (1450) and David Boon (1212).(Australia Face Acid Test vs India)

Dhoni is also chasing Tendulkar's record of 50s against the Australians. The Indian captain needs two more fifties for 10 fifties. Tendulkar, of course, is way ahead with 24 fifties against Australia. Ponting has 15 fifties while Gilchrist and Hayden have 13 each.(Australia Face Acid Test With Depleted Squad)

His batting position has been a topic of much discussion in recent times. While it is unlikely to see him bat higher up the order, Dhoni needs 168 more runs for 9000 ODI runs.(India and Australia Renew Rivalry)

If Dhoni gets them, he would then become the fifth Indian batsman to total 9000 plus runs in ODIs. Others are Tendulkar (18426), Sourav Ganguly (11363), Rahul Dravid (10889) and Mohammed Azharuddin (9378).(India Spoilt for Choice in Spin Department)

As a wicket-keeper-batsman Dhoni will become only the third player to score 9000-plus runs in the annals of one day games. Others are Kumar Sangakkara (13341) and Gilchrist (9410).(India Must Win One ODI to Retain No. 2 Spot)

Dhoni has an aggregate of 6355 runs as a captain-wicket-keeper. He needs 155 more runs for his 6500 runs. If he gets them, he would then become the first captain-keeper-batsman to total 6500 plus runs in the annals of ODIs.('India Will Come Hard at Australia')

Virat Kohli needs 169 runs for his 7000 runs in one-day internationals. If he gets them, he would then become the eighth Indian to aggregate 7000 plus runs in ODIs. Others are - Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid, Azharuddin, Dhoni (8658), Yuvraj Singh (8237) and Virender Sehwag (7995).(Why India Should Test Bench Strength vs Australia)

Rohit Sharma has an aggregate of 856 runs against Australia. He needs 144 runs for his 1000 runs. If he gets them, he would then become the third Indian batsman to total 1000-plus runs against Australia. Others are -Tendulkar (3077) and Dhoni (1169).(Top 5 Bowlers to Watch Out for)

Rohit Sharma has scored 30 boundary sixes against Australia prior to the start of the series. He needs six more boundary sixes to earn the distinction of scoring most boundary sixes by an Indian batsman against Australia. Tendulkar has scored 35 boundary sixes. Ponting has scored 32 boundary sixes.(Top 5 Batsmen to Watch Out for)

(With inputs from HR Gopala Krishna)