India skipper Rohit Sharma said Saturday that a World Cup win at home was "unfinished business" for his men, channelling the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's words before the 2011 triumph that capped his career.

The hosts open their campaign in the 50-over showpiece event against fellow big guns Australia in a much-awaited Sunday clash in Chennai.

India have suffered a world title drought since the 2013 Champions Trophy and last won the World Cup on home soil in 2011, led by M.S. Dhoni and featuring Tendulkar at the tail-end of his two-decade career.

Rohit, 36, remains one of India's biggest stars but time is running out for him to hoist his own trophy.

"You heard the great man say that 'until he wins the World Cup he has got a bit of unfinished business'," Rohit told reporters.

"It's the same for us as well," he said. "It is the biggest prize that you can have in your career."

He added: "Luckily for us the seniors, they have played lot of cricket and know how to stay under that radar. And then leave a lot of things to the almighty. We need that luck in the tournament."

Australia skipper Pat Cummins said his team are content go about their game "quietly", in contrast to the ultra-aggressive style of earlier Australian sides.

Five-time winners Australia kick off their World Cup campaign against hosts India in a much-awaited Sunday clash in Chennai.

Australia have long been known to play an aggressive brand of cricket with on-field sledging part and parcel of their game, but Cummins and company have displayed a softer version.

"It's more a reflection of who we are as a people. With every team you have different characters," Cummins told reporters.

"Our guys are pretty chilled out, so I am always proud saying the players out there in the field are similar to who they are off the field."

Asked about the in-your-face attitude of past greats, including the late Shane Warne and former captain Ricky Ponting, the fast bowler reflected on the team's more restrained posture.

"Times change, that's 20 years ago," he said. "That doesn't come naturally to our guys, we want to go about our work quietly."

However, the World Cup could prove a different ball game, he added.

"I think you're going to see some boys get fired up at different times. We're all passionate. We're all ridiculously competitive," he said.

"So, I never really mind if a couple of our boys are puffing the chests out and getting themselves into the contest."

Foreign teams on Indian soil must also contend with the home side's immense and impassioned fanbase, but Cummins said he was up to the challenge.

"The home crowd is going to be noisy and very one-sided which is nothing new. It's great," he said.

"It's always tough playing against someone on their home ground, but with that also comes pressure. A billion fans watching them closely, cheering them on."