both Kohli and Rohit have struggled to find their best form, attracting scrutiny following India's recent 0-3 series loss against New Zealand.
Australia's senior batter Steve Smith said the last three years have been the most challenging because of Kookaburra changing their ball in 2020.
For Shastri, India's recent successes in Test cricket have often been defined by the stubbornness and resilience of the tail-enders.
Michael Hussey backed star India batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and said that one cannot write off champion players like them.
Wriddhiman Saha's superior glovework may be given preference over Rishabh Pant's blazing blade in India's opening day-night Test against Australia, starting at the Adelaide Oval from Thursday.
An astute reader of the game both on and off the field, Ashwin might have gauged what was in store going forward and that perhaps made it easier for him to take a call.
Former Australian coach John Buchanan on Thursday congratulated Jay Shah on becoming the International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman and expressed hope that the incumbent Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary will be able to make all three formats of international cricket a priority for all in the age of T20 franchise cricket.
Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed Steve Smith in his first over, caught in the slips as the right-hander edged the delivery which went straight on, on Day 2 of the first Test.
The series is likely to start in late November this year.
It has become difficult for Ashwin to be even considered in the present scenario.
Australian quick Josh Hazlewood expressed that India's rare series whitewash at home to New Zealand could "awaken a sleeping giant" as they prepare to take on the ICC World Test Championship table-toppers in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy from November 22 onwards.
Ashwin's age is certainly a factor that is being kept in consideration.
Former Australian skipper Aaron Finch said that Alex Carey and Rishabh Pant, two left-handed wicketkeeper-batters will be extremely important for their respective sides during the highly-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.
Officials in Australia said they were worried after a modest 23,802 turned out for the opening day of the Test series in Adelaide on Thursday, the lowest day-one attendance since the venue was redeveloped in 2013. 'We hope that the sentiment from fans is something India can see'
While Sheffield Shield game for South Australia on a bouncy track would have been ideal preparation for Perth, Head feels that he will relax bit before resuming training for the India series.
The former South African quick explained the pre-set plan against Head, though it eventually fell flat on its back.
'Jassibhai told me "Don't run after wickets, just keep bowling consistently in one area and enjoy your bowling".'
Images from Day 4 of the first Test between Australia and India in Perth on Monday.
The blockbuster five-match Test series between India and Australia will get underway at Perth's Optus Stadium on November 22, the venue replacing Adelaide Oval as the national cricket board's preferred choice for the season opener.
"To be honest, I was not serious when I was young," he said in a video released by the BCCI on Thursday.
With tempers expecting to reach the ugliest limits during the India-Pakistan World Cup match, the Adelaide administration has issued a 85-point "code of conduct" for spectators - one that specifically bars religious messages and anti-national chants.
Ravi Shastri guided India to back-to-back series wins in Australia and his short advice to current head coach Gautam Gambhir is to "stay calm" over the course of five Tests Down Under and avoid knee-jerk reactions.
Australia's mouthwatering clash with India sees the two behemoths of the modern game go head-to-head in five tests over six weeks with the tourists eyeing a third straight series triumph Down Under.
'You have to respect if the ball's moving, you have to give it to the fast bowlers and just soak in that pressure and wait for your time to score runs.'
Shubman Gill's thumb fracture is certainly a "jolt" for India ahead of the series opener against Australia
'Guys like Rishabh Pant have got a muscle memory and the thirst for victory.' 'He was such a key player last time he played there and the Australian public loved him as well, because of the nature of the way he played his game.'
Going into the final Test against South Africa, Australia are staring at the lowest ebb in their 140-year cricketing history.
Key players, such as pacer Mitchell Starc, are hitting form at the right time, while star batter Steve Smith is facing early setbacks in his preparations.
Travis Head scored his second successive hundred while veteran Steve Smith wore the opposition down with a statement century to put Australia in control
"... they're (India) up against a really talented young Australian cricket team who have got plenty to prove'
'We are expecting him (Dhoni) to be 100 percent in the next few days.' 'It's a big moment for me personally'
India captain Virat Kohli questioned his team's batting mindset in the second innings after their embarrassing capitulation inside three days of the opening day-night Test against Australia on Saturday.
Premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah was on Friday named vice-captain of India for the upcoming three-match home Test series against New Zealand, strongly indicating his possible elevation to the leadership role when the team travels to Australia from next month.
Reader Sumit Mahajan sent us this picture from Adelaide.
All eyes will be on star India batter Virat Kohli, who is perhaps battling the biggest form crisis of his career.
In case Rohit misses a Test match in Australia, the in-form Abhimanyu Easwaran is likely to be his cover although Shubman Gill and KL Rahul are also players with enough experience in the opening slot.
Should India bolster its batting by including Rohit Sharma at No 6? Pick India's playing XI for the first Test.
Images from Day 4 of the third Test between Australia and India in Brisbane on Tuesday.
'We only felt that it has never happened before, I don't think it will ever happen again. It was a freak inning'
No sooner had the match ended, social media was abuzz with congratulatory messages for the team.
