India will begin their quest to regain some pride when they take on Australia in the opening match of the one-day triangular series in Melbourne on Sunday.
After suffering a 4-0 defeat in the Test series and losing the first Twenty20 encounter, India took their first win of the tour in the second match in the shortest format.
It looked like a revitalised India side at the MCG, inflicting four run outs in the field, while Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni all made contributions with the bat.
In a summer where little has gone right for India, their enthusiastic performance in the field was enough to give them some confidence heading into the 50-over series against Australia and Sri Lanka.
India welcome back legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar for his first ODI since the World Cup ended almost a year ago.
His search for a 100th international century continues, and he is one half of a threatening dangerous pair that features Sehwag.
Despite their World Cup win, India are ranked second in ODIs, behind Australia.
Series wins in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and South Africa have ensured Michael Clarke's men have retained their No.1 ranking despite being a team in transition.
It is the first time in four years that a triangular series will be played in Australia. Coincidentally, the same three teams will take part. India won that series.
Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and out-of-sorts left-hander Shaun Marsh were left out of the 14-man squad named for the first three matches, while Peter Forrest and Matthew Wade were included.
Victorian Wade is touted as Haddin's potential replacement at Test level with Tim Paine injured, and he did those chances no harm with a blistering 72 in the Twenty20 win over India.
The wicketkeeper could be given the chance to open alongside the exciting David Warner, while David and Michael Hussey will be crucial in the middle order.
Clarke said the team for the first three matches - one of which is against Sri Lanka - was picked based on performances at national and domestic level.
For India, the batting line-up - compared to that of the Test team - strikes less fear into their opponents, but still has plenty of class with Sehwag, Tendulkar, Gambhir and the in-form Kohli.
Kohli, 23, struck his maiden Test ton against Australia, while his form in ODIs late last year was impressive.
Umesh Yadav could earn a spot in the bowling line-up after his solid showings throughout the Test series, while left-arm paceman Irfan Pathan - who played his first ODI in almost three years against the West Indies in December - is also a chance.
The series shapes as an opportunity for India to salvage some pride after a demoralising Test series loss, but they meet a confident world No.1 in Australia first up.