When you have someone with the talent of KL Rahul warming the benches, you better stay hot in the field of play. That's a message which Manish Pandey, ironically Rahul's Karnataka statemate, didn't have to be given considering he is well aware of the situation. But surely it makes a difference that every spot is hard fought for – let's not forget that India's best spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are not even in the squad – and no quarter will be conceded even within the team.

India batsman Manish Pandey goes for a big one during a practice session ahead of tomorrow's fourth one-day international against Australia at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore yesterday. The Karnataka player will play his first ODI at home on Thursday. Pic/AFP