Kohli shapes up, opens up on Indian dog’s woes ahead of Australia Test series

India's Virat Kohli during a practice match in Perth last week (David Woodley)

India’s Virat Kohli during a practice match in Perth last week (David Woodley)

India face Australia in five Tests starting Friday in Perth after their first red-ball series defeat at home in more than a decade exposed the visitors’ growing vulnerabilities.

India have won 2-1 against Australia in their last two Test tours but suffered a 3-0 whitewash at home to New Zealand last month.

AFP Sport takes a look at five issues facing India ahead of the series, which are crucial in deciding the World Test Championship finalists.

– Kohli and Rohit in difficulty –

Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were poor with their batting against New Zealand.

Skipper and opening batsman Rohit managed just 91 runs in three matches and Kohli just 93, including four single-digit scores in six innings.

Coach Gautam Gambhir has backed his key batsmen as “incredibly tough men” before the team leaves for Australia, and this will be the time to prove it.

Skeptics say there are signs of a longer-term decline in the 36-year-old Kohli.

For years one of the most feared batsmen in the world, he has managed just two Test centuries in the last five years.

As for Rohit, big-hitting Sunil Gavaskar warned that he might struggle especially against the “lengths and lines” of Australian quick Mitchell Starc.

Rohit, 37, looks set to fail the first test after the birth of his second child.

– Opening misfortunes –

Rohit’s form has hampered India’s ability to get off to a good start of late and has put the onus on young opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal to set the tone.

Despite his recent struggles, Rohit is said to have opened in Perth, so the Indian selectors are now considering their replacement options.

KL Rahul seems most likely to open with Jaiswal, but he has also not been in good touch and has been left out of the last two Tests against New Zealand.

Former coach Ravi Shastri had suggested that Shubman Gill could be an option to start the innings, but he also looks set to miss the opener after fracturing a thumb.

Uncapped 29-year-old Abhimanyu Easwaran has emerged as a contender.

– Too much Bumrah? –

Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah lacked support at the other end with senior pacer Mohammed Shami injured and fellow quick Mohammed Siraj struggling to take wickets.

Siraj took two wickets in three innings in the New Zealand series and lost his place to Akash Deep.

According to media reports, Shami could make a late entry into the Test squad after an impressive comeback from injury in a domestic match and form a new combination with Bumrah.

As vice-captain, Bumrah will find himself leading the team if, as expected, Rohit misses the Perth Test.

Former Australian all-rounder Brendon Julian said that, taking all this into account, “it could put a lot of pressure on your opening bowler”.

– Gambhir under the baton –

Gambhir, a former opening batsman and successful coach in the Indian Premier League, took over a triumphant national team that won the T20 World Cup in June.

The honeymoon did not last long, with pundits in India questioning Gambhir’s tactics in New Zealand’s series whitewash.

“I don’t feel like I’m feeling the heat,” the 43-year-old replied.

Former batsman Sanjay Manjrekar slammed Gambhir’s public defense of his team after the defeat, suggesting that Rohit and chief selector Ajit Agarkar were “much better guys to present themselves to the media”.

Former Australia captain Tim Paine was also scathing of Gambhir, saying “India’s concern right now is not Rohit Sharma’s batting, it’s not Virat Kohli – he’s their coach and his ability to stay calm under pressure.”

– In a spin –

Veteran spinners Ravichandran Ashwin, 38, and Ravindra Jadeja, 35, were overshadowed by their New Zealand counterparts at home.

Spin duo Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel bamboozled the Indian batting line-up while Ashwin and Jadeja struggled in comparison on what should have been favorable conditions at home.

Only one of India’s slow bowlers is expected to make the XI on bouncy Australian pitches where quicks are likely to play a bigger role.

Washington Sundar, 25, is in the mix after taking 16 wickets in two matches against New Zealand.

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