DHAKA: India will be keen to extend their impressive run in a triangular series starting in Dhaka on Monday and boost their hopes of becoming the top-ranked side in one-day cricket.

They have won six of their last seven bilateral ODI series under MS Dhoni and a title-triumph here against Sri Lanka and a resurgent Bangladesh would ensure them the No 1 ranking. India, already the top-ranked side in Test cricket, are currently behind leaders Australia in one-day rankings.

The tournament opens with a day-night clash between Sri Lanka and the hosts. Each team will play four league matches before the top two qualify for the final on January 13. India vice-captain Virender Sehwag said ahead of the series his team were focused on maintaining consistency.

India will be without Sachin Tendulkar, who has been rested for ODIs, but they still have depth in batting. India,

who beat Sri Lanka in both Test and ODI series at home recently, have explosive batsmen in Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh and Dhoni to dominate any attack.

Sehwag said Sri Lanka were a tough side to beat despite missing veterans Muttiah Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene and Sanath Jayasuriya.

Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons said his side could make it to the final despite missing skipper Mashrafe Mortaza and key seamer Nazmul Hossain due to injuries. Top all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan will lead the team, while Shahadat Hossain replaces Nazmal.

The series will be a real test for Bangladesh, who will be keen to build on their one-day successes last year. Bangladesh clinched one-day series

against below-strength West Indies and Zimbabwe in 2009 under Shakib, who led the side in the absence of Mortaza.

The tri-series will be followed by two Tests between India and the hosts at Chittagong (Jan 17-21) and Dhaka (Jan 24-28).