4 players who could open the innings for India against Australia 

After routing the Windies in the first of the two-match Test series at Rajkot, the hosts will be oozing in confidence as they look to settle things ahead of the tough Test series against Australia in their next overseas assignment. Though the performance against Windies was on the expected lines, it gives an opportunity to the Virat Kohli-led side to prepare ahead of the crucial series.

India will be aware of their previous show on their tour down under as how they failed to stack up things collectively against a potent Australian line-up. Though the home team will be without the services of David Warner and Steve Smith, usually the two pillars of the Australian team in recent past.

But by no means, this makes them a weaker side, especially with a good bowling attack. India would look to improve upon their performances with the bat after a dismal show against England in their backyard.

Openers will once again hold the key to see off the new ball and set a platform for the batters to follow and play without much pressure. With Shikhar Dhawan dropped from the series against Windies, it is highly likely that India might feature a new opening pair in the 4-match series against the Aussies.

Here's a look at who are the players in contention for the opening slot:

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#1 KL Rahul

It has been a mixed-bag career so far for Rahul ever since his debut game against Australia at MCG in 2014. Though it was a terrible start for the right-handed batsman, he struck his maiden ton in the next game at Sydney to assure himself a place in the Indian Test team.

The 26-year old has witnessed a 360-degree change in his approach from being a steady batsman to a stroke-maker in recent times.

However, his recent form in all the three formats has not been much promising with the bat. He went through a lean patch in the entire tour to England before hitting a century in the final Test at Oval.

KL Rahul has a golden chance in his hand to be a sure starter on December 6 at Adelaide if he scores well in the 2nd Test against Windies at Hyderabad.

#2 Prithvi Shaw

The young prodigy showed brilliant skills with the bat in his debut game against Windies. He registered his maiden Test ton to be counted in the list of very few specials to have achieved this feat. The 18-year old has come through the ranks before reaching the International level.

Though his ton at Rajkot wasn't a test for the individual's skills as it came against a mediocre bowling line up but it did test his temperament at the highest level of cricket and the ability to play under pressure.

His real test of skill will see him battling against a fierce bowling attack in his first overseas tour as Indian Test player. Being good square off the wicket, Prithvi has the game to adapt to the pace and bouncy conditions as only time will tell whether he succumbs under pressure or passes the Australian test with flying colours.

#3 Murali Vijay

Murali Vijay, who was sidelined after the second Test at Lord's against England, still remains to be India's most reliable Test opener in overseas conditions. The 34-year old was India's second best batsman after Virat Kohli on their last tour to Australia in 2014-15.

In recent times, Vijay has been through a dismal run in the overseas conditions. His technique and the temperament against the moving ball was exposed in England and hence he was shown the way out of the Test team. But after being snubbed from the team, Vijay is determined to stage a comeback as he even scored a century for Essex in his county debut.

It will be a tough ask for the Tamil Nadu-lad to earn the opening slot back but he knows how to do the hard yards given his experience will help his cause to get back into the Test side.

#4 Rohit Sharma

When it was believed that Rohit Sharma deserves a second go in the Test squad against Windies, the 31-year old was still not considered as the selectors opt to keep him out of contention. But according to the recent news planted in the media, it has been speculated that the Mumbai-opener will be a part of the Indian team for the Australia Tests.

Rohit has the perfect game for the conditions in Australia given his good backfoot game and the ability to play pace and bounce. It won't be a surprise if India rope in Rohit as the opener. His career saw a change in fortunes after he was given the opportunity to open in ODIs. This could be the blessing in disguise for the Indian team as this solve their opening conundrum ahead of the Test series.