A close look at India-Australia Test series: Who stands where...

New Delhi: Much has been talked about the India-Australia test series but the unfortunate demise of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes overshadowed the series in recent days. Now that the chips are down, India TV analyses the strength and weakness of both the Indian and Australian squads before the four-test series which starts in Adelaide on Tuesday:Top Order:Australia2014 has been the year David Warner will love to cherish for rest of his life. During this year which still has some more days to go, he has already scored 1,199 test runs at an average of 74.93. India can't afford to be complacent with him as the memory of his 69-ball century in Perth three years ago, has yet to fade out from their memory.Chris Rogers has had a less successful time, particularly in the recent 2-0 series defeat against Pakistan, but got back among the runs in state cricket and his growing understanding with Warner has value in itself.Number three in the order has become a problem for Australia with the most recent incumbents Alex Doolan and Glenn Maxwell joining a string of discards at “first drop”. It was this spot that Phillip Hughes would most likely have filled had he not died when batting to earn a recall.Shane Watson, who occupied the berth during Australia's Ashes sweep of England, prefers to play as high up the order as possible and will need to be fitted in somewhere. Who bats at number four will depend on the hamstring of Michael Clarke with Shaun Marsh ready to step in if the skipper fails to prove his fitness for Adelaide.IndiaUnfortunately India don't have opener like David Warner who can tear apart opponent's bowling attack particularly on foreign soil. Shikhar Dhawan, like many of Indian batsmen, has same problem with rising deliveries which are expected once series gets underway. In 2014 Shikhar has scored 337 runs in five matches with just one century and one half century. He was found wanting on seaming conditions.Murali Vijay is still a newcomer and gets easily intimidated with rising delivery though once settled, has the ability to hang on. 2014 has seen him score 450 runs in seven matches with one century.Of all youngsters Ajinkya Rahane has the potential, technique and temperament to ward off hostile attack. In a short period of time, he has gained the reputation of the main stay of Indian batting line-up. His batting does remind of Rahul Dravid-the wall.Virat Kohli, the poster boy of Indian cricket and who would be leading in the first test in the absence of Dhoni, would like to forget England tour where he failed miserably. Though he is among the runs during two practice matches but will be under immense pressure to lead from the front amidst barrage of hostile pace attack led by Mitchell Johnson.For Cheteshwar Pujara this would be a real test as lot is expected of him after his average performance during England and New Zealand tour.Middle Order: AustraliaSteve Smith and Mitchell Marsh, in his first two tests, were among Australia's few success stories in the Pakistan series and are almost certain to bat at numbers five and six. Smith scored three half centuries in the Emirates and then showed he could play higher up the order by winning Man of the Series honours in the recent one-day triumph over South Africa.Brad Haddin, who has recovered from a shoulder injury, will retain the wicketkeeping gloves and could captain the side in his 60th test if Clarke is not fit. Mitchell Johnson, who boasts one century and nine half centuries in tests, adds a little more length to the tail.IndiaDhoni is the only batsman with the experience that is required in the middle order. Suresh Raina has made a come back in the test team. He has visible problems with rising deliveries, well known to fast bowlers world over. Jadeja has yet to prove he is in the team primarily as a batsman and not as a make shift bowler.All Rounder:AustraliaA real area of strength for Australia.Mitchell Marsh's powerful batting and ability to get some serious pace with the ball has earned him the spot as the designated all rounder in the team.Watson could also lay claim to the tag and has shown a knack for taking wickets at key moments over the years, while Smith started his career as a spinner who could bat and can still bring out his leg spin when required.IndiaRavindra Jadeja has always been included in the squad as a batsman who can also bowl if needed but he has time and again failed as a batsman though not with the ball.Bhuvneshwar Kumar has impressed all with his batting skill and R. Ashwin has shown he too can stay around. Fast bowler Mohammed Shami too can swing the bat.Seam Bowling:AustraliaPace bowling was one of the keys to Australia's 4-0 humbling of India three years ago and chief selector Rod Marsh boasted there were 10 quicks of sufficient quality to feature in the series.ICC Cricketer of the Year Johnson, Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle should get the chance to reprise their successful team effort against England and South Africa.Uncapped Josh Hazlewood is in the squad for the Adelaide test and first cab on the rank, with left-armer Mitchell Starc, Nathan Coulter-Nile and even Pat Cummins also in the mix if Australia goes for a rotation policy.IndiaOne can say seam bowling is the strength of India on this tour with Varun Aaron's good showing giving Indian captain more options in case he wishes to use more than three seamers. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is very impressive. He has taken 19 wickets in five match abroad and Mohammed Shami has scalped 21 wickets in seven matches. They have some experience and have utilized the conditions well home away. Umesh Yadav raw pace can match Mitchell Johnson's hostility. Never to forget Ishant Sharma who ratlled Ricky Ponting but It all depends on how he bowls because when he is bad, he is very,very bad.Spin Bowling:AustraliaIt sometimes appears as if off spinner Nathan Lyon is in the squad by default because of the dearth of quality in an area where Australia once boasted such riches.The 27-year-old knows that 11 wickets at the cost of 66.72 run apiece in five tests in South Africa and against Pakistan this year is not good enough and will be looking for a great improvement on home soil.IndiaR. Ashwin has not at all been impressive on foreign soil. He has taken just three wickets in two matches. New entrant leg spinner Karn Sharma is most likely to warm the bench during tour. So Jadeja will once have the opportunity to shine with the ball if again flops with the bat.