TheAustralia series will be a massive challenge for the entire Indian outfit for the manner in which they struggled in England. Most of the members of the team had a disastrous visit to England, and would be looking to set the record straight Down Under. Right from the openers to top and the middle order batsmen, they all struggled. This is why the Australia visit will be do significant for them. Everyone including the skipper for the opening Test at Adelaide, Virat Kohli have a massive point to prove. Unless and until they do well, they cannot really overcome the trauma of England.
Opener Shikhar Dhawan will have a massive point to prove. He has failed in both the warm up matches, the only batsmen to not get among the runs. That is not all. He has had a poor run in South Africa and England as well. In fact, he was even dropped from the side owing to his pathetic showing in the first three Tests in England. Dhawan's technique and temperament have been completely exposed in bowler-friendly conditions. If you take away the one century in New Zealand, he really has nothing to show in Tests. A failure in Australia will raise doubts over his ability as a Test opener.
The series will also be extremely important for the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli. Both the young talents were expected to be India's lynchpins in England, but both had a forgettable series. While Pujara managed only one hundred, and his technique could not withstand the brutality of the England attack, Kohli was completely at sea against the England pacers, James Anderson in particular. His affinity to poke outside the off stump made him a walking wicket for the opponents. Kohli though has tasted success in Australia before, Adelaide in particular, and would be keen to get back among the runs Down Under.
Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane were the two players who excelled briefly on the tour of England. Both got a hundred each, and classy ones at that. However, their form also petered away as the series progressed. Among all players, Vijay and Rahane have the most sound technique to succeed under the conditions. They fulfilled their potential partly in England. Hopefully, they can rise to the occasion completely in Australia. They have the talent no doubt, but their consistency remains to be seen. Rohit Sharma will also be keen to make a mark after his home exploits. In short, the Indian batsmen will have a lot to look forward to in Australia.
--By A Cricket Analyst
