His loss for even part of the series would be a huge blow to a team already missing so much batting experience because of the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal.
The entire Australian top-order that is feeling the "pressure" despite the series-levelling win in Adelaide
Opener David Warner, who set up a crucial victory for Australia with a whirlwind century in the ongoing World Cup on Friday, credited the IPL for working as a learning platform where he perfected the art of pacing an ODI innings.
With a massive 1,608 runs in the WTC 2021-2023 cycle, Khawaja was the major reason Australia qualified for the WTC final.
Steve Smith hasn't enjoyed an ideal start in his new role as as opener, with 171 runs from four Tests at an average of 28.
Virat Kohli imitates Cameron Bancroft's infamous sandpaper gate incident.
Back-to-back Test series wins over Australia are almost unheard of but India have won the last four they have played.
Warner has also taken aim at his Ashes nemesis England veteran pacer Stuart Broad, implying that he will not be the force that derailed the opening batter's 2019 trip this time.
McDonald said team management were continually talking to senior players about their plans.
"If you talk to all the great players out there, they say he is a great player. We'll just have to see if he bounces back in Melbourne. He is a pretty tough nut, old David. I don't think that (run drought) necessarily worries him," Erskine added.
India will be hoping to repeat their success of two years ago when they registered their first-ever Test series win in Australia, while the hosts would be keen to avenge that loss.
As India go in to the four-match Test series against Australia that commences in Adelaide on Tuesday, here is a factbox.
Warner played some audacious strokes batting both left and right-handed.
The 36-year-old remains nominally in Australia's plans for the tour of India in February but is under pressure to perform in the three-match series starting at the Gabba on Saturday after struggling against a modest West Indies attack.
India ended an 11-year-long ICC Trophy drought, beating South Africa by seven runs to claim the ICC T20 World Cup title for the second time on June 29 last year, in Barbados.
Here's a wrap of all major international episodes in 2024.
On Tuesday, Warner, one the finest all-format players, became the 10th man in Test cricket's history to score a century in his 100th match, and the second to score a double ton.
Former England captain Vaughan said Australia should consider having Mitchell Marsh open with Khawaja.
David Warner became a bit 'weary' after being knocked on the head by a Mohammed Siraj bouncer on day one of the second Test.
Opening batsman Marcus Harris has been called into Australia's first Test squad as the hosts count the cost of a number of injuries ahead of the series opener against India in Adelaide.
Labuschagne said he is focused on winning matches for Australia, not on convincing anyone about his return to form.
Opening batsman David Warner tore an adductor muscle in the leadup to the four-Test series and was ruled out of the Adelaide opener as well as the ongoing 'Boxing Day' Test in Melbourne.
Former captains, including Ian Chappell and Michael Clarke, have called for the inclusion of young opener Will Pucovski in Australia's team for the upcoming four-Test series against India.
'It's going to be very difficult to play all three forms -- and good luck to all the guys that want to keep playing -- it's challenging.'
But former Australia captain Ponting says he saw signs in both the first Edgbaston innings and Warner's knock against India in the World Test Championship Final that suggest he's close to getting back among the runs.
As Warner's friend, want him to end on a high with Cup win: Usman Khawaja
David Warner retired on 200 after tea in cramped-up exhaustion after tormenting the Proteas in a Melbourne Cricket Ground furnace, quashing all debate about his place in the side.
Warner was slapped with a lifetime ban from any leadership role for his involvement in a ball-tampering scandal four years ago but Cricket Australia has initiated the process to revoke it.
David Warner was among the high-profile players who went unsold on Day 1 of the Indian Premier League 2025 mega auction in Jeddah on Sunday.
Apart from Renshaw's inclusion in place of Warner, there are no changes to the squad which beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the third and final test to sweep the series 3-0 last week.
Warner is enduring a lean patch in the longest format with his last four scores, reading 21 and 28 (second Test in Adelaide) and 5 and 48 (first Test in Perth).
Matt Renshaw feels he figures way down in the Australian selection pecking order for the opener's slot.
Steve Smith is not getting unduly bothered by people's opinion over his role in the 'sandpapergate' episode
Australia batsman Usman Khawaja on Thursday hinted he could bat in the middle order in the upcoming four-Test series against India, starting in Adelaide on December 6.
The flamboyant Chris Gayle is unlikely to get a farewell Test match against India after being overlooked in the 13-strong West Indies squad for the two-Test series, starting August 22 at North Sound, in Antigua.
Australia's star batter Travis Head believes opening the batting in Test cricket is a "specialist job" and has ruled himself out of contention to replace veteran David Warner.
Steve Smith's manager debunks former Australian captain's retirement talks
Australia announced a 16-member squad on Thursday with several fresh faces added to the group that played India in the fifth and final Test at Sydney last week. Australia won the marquee series 3-1.
The blockbuster series will be a survival of the fittest as Australia look to avenge successive losses on home soil when they go head-to-head from Friday.
Uncapped leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson , 23, joins lead spinner Nathan Lyon and left-arm orthodox Ashton Agar and Steve O'Keefe.
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