Gilchrist was a key factor in Australia's World Cup win and international series win in India in 2003 with top-order batting that devastated the Indian attack.

With both Australia and India entering the one-dayers against Zimbabwe with injury-depleted bowling attacks, batsmen appear to hold the key.

"There are some key batsmen in the Australian team and especially Adam, he is a very attacking player and a very positive player, so it's important to get him early on," said Indian batsman VVS Laxman on Wednesday.

India have unfinished business after heavily losing two finals to Australia last year.

"Winning in a crunch situation is very important for us. It was unfortunate we lost the World Cup final but I felt the Australians played really well there," Laxman said.

Laxman was playing India's cards close to his chest on the use of a limited bowling attack in the series.

Leg-spinner Anil Kumble opened the bowling in the Sydney Test and, asked if he may do so in the limited-overs matches, Laxman replied "that is something that the team will be working on."

"It's unfortunate that we're missing Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan due to injuries but the bowlers over here are looking forward to performing for the team."

Zimbabwe have had the best preparation of the three nations for the upcoming series, having a succession of one-day tune-up games.

However Laxman felt Australia and India's disadvantage in terms of preparation was balanced by having experienced playing Tests against each other over the past month.

"We are tuned up in the sense that when you play Test cricket, you play against a similar attack that is going to play in the one-day series," Laxman said.

"It was a great effort by the boys (in the drawn Test series) and we're looking forward to carrying that into the one-day series."