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Alex Carey says the recently completed Indian Premier League season will ensure Australia know exactly what to expect from Virat Kohli's star-studded side.
Australia's white-ball squad have no shortage of sources for insightful opposition analysis as they plot the downfall of a star-studded India in the ODI series.
The majority of the national limited-overs squad - including Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, David Warner and Pat Cummins - took part in the recently completed Indian Premier League season.
The stint in the UAE bubble gave them a front-row seat for match-winning performances from India's best players but also a chance to get a better idea of what makes them tick on and off the field.
Alex Carey, who spent his maiden IPL season under the tutelage of coach Ricky Ponting at Delhi Capitals, believes the Twenty20 tournament will hold Australia in good stead as they make plans for Virat Kohli's team ahead of the ODI opener on November 27.
James Pattinson played alongside in-form paceman Jasprit Bumrah at IPL champions Mumbai Indians.
Glenn Maxwell's Kings XI teammate KL Rahul topped the IPL run-scoring charts, while spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Adam Zampa worked closely with Kohli and Finch at Royal Challengers Bangalore.
"We're lucky to have the IPL so recently going into this series," Carey told reporters.
"Zamps has spent time with Chahal, so we can talk to him about some little bits of advice.
"James Pattinson is here, even though he's not in the ODI squad, so everyone's picking his brain as well.
"It's great we've spent so much time with the players we're coming up against."
Carey only played three games for Delhi during their march to the IPL final but feels the experience will help take his game to another level this summer, especially given it meant more one-on-one time with Ponting.
"I learned a lot," he said.
"I speak to Ricky quite often, was lucky enough to work with him throughout last year's World Cup and formed a pretty good relationship.
"He was an amazing player and he's an amazing coach. He picks up on little things really quickly.
"It gave me a lot of opportunities to train and just work on a few little technical parts of game."
Ponting is helping coach Australia's IPL stars during their current quarantine stint in Sydney, with the entire limited-overs squad unable to train together before the first one-dayer at the SCG.
"Any time you have one of the greatest players in the history of cricket around the group is something we're all really excited about. He brings so much energy," Carey said.
