India head into a highly anticipated five-Test showdown against Australia starting in Perth on Friday, hurt by their first home series defeat in 12 years and with a point to prove.
But questions also surround the hosts, who are trying to find a successor to replace retired fly-half David Warner.
India’s embarrassing 3-0 defeat to New Zealand last month was marred by repeated batting collapses, with stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma a shadow of their former selves.
With aging spin king Ravichandran Ashwin and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja also under pressure, the series against Pat Cummins’ men is an opportunity to prove doubters wrong – or will fuel claims that this Indian team has overachieved its expiration date.
Australian legend Ricky Ponting stirred things up last week by questioning whether Kohli and Rohit should still be selected after both averaged just 15 against New Zealand.
This drew a scathing response from Indian coach Gautam Gambhir, who strongly defended them and asked: “What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket?
“Most importantly, I have no concerns for Virat and Rohit,” he added, calling them “incredibly tough men”.
“I feel like there’s a lot of hunger, especially after what happened last series.”
Former India coach Ravi Shastri also came to the defense of Kohli, who has managed just one half-century in his last five Test matches.
“Well, the king is back on his turf,” he said, referring to the 36-year-old’s outstanding record in Australia, where he scored six centuries and averaged 54.08.
It appears Rohit is likely to miss the opening Test at the Perth Stadium following the birth of his second child, with Jasprit Bumrah taking over the captaincy.
KL Rahul or Abhimanyu Easwaran are in contention to open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, while number three Shubman Gill is also a major doubt after fracturing his thumb.
The visitors are without injured bowler Mohammed Shami, with Bumrah leading an attack that is expected to feature two more players in Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana or Nitesh Reddy.
Apart from the fate of some senior players, the series could decide the finalists for the World Test Championship.
The hosts must win five of their remaining seven Tests this cycle to be assured of a place in June’s decider at Lord’s. India must win the series at least 4-0.
– ‘A big one’ –
While India are in the spotlight, they have a proud record in Australia, winning the last two Test series to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Such is the rivalry that the series was extended to five Tests for the first time since the summer of 1991-92, putting it on par with the Ashes in terms of duration.
After Perth, they move to Adelaide for a day night, before heading to the Gabba in Brisbane, then Melbourne and Sydney.
“We lost the (last) two series against them (in Australia), so it’s a big game,” Australian skipper Cummins said.
“We feel like our team is in a really good position, so we have no reason not to perform very well.”
Australia, who have not played a Test since their 2-0 series win in New Zealand in February, have their own problems with star all-rounder Cameron Green out for the series after undergoing back surgery.
Mitchell Marsh will fill the void as a fourth option alongside Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, with Australia’s groundskeepers traditionally preparing lively pitches.
Spinner Nathan Lyon will once again be their foil, looking to add to his 530 wickets in his 130th Test.
The biggest headache for the hosts was finding a replacement for Warner as Usman Khawaja’s opening partner.
While Steve Smith initially took on the role, he will return to his usual number four, behind Marnus Labuschagne.
After a “bat-off” in two recent Australia A matches, uncapped South Australia captain Nathan McSweeney got the nod, despite only opening one times before at first class level.
Chief selector George Bailey is confident the 25-year-old can handle the scrutiny and Indian attack.
“I don’t think it’s a huge adjustment going from three to opener,” Bailey said.
“He is a very organized and calm player on the field and he thinks he has a game that will really suit Test cricket.”
mp/pst