Australia vs India 2018-19: 3 things India need to do to win in Australia 

Waking up at five in the morning in winters and watching Test cricket in Australia with a steaming hot cup of coffee is a memory every Indian cricket fan savours. From this week, it will be an experience a lot of them will relive again as India and Australia take the field in Adelaide.

This time the hope is to see India win a Test series in Australia for the first time in history. Due to the absence of Steve Smith and David Warner, a lot of experts claim that India are favourites this time around. However, India will have to play out of their skins to win Down Under. If Kohli's men wish to succeed, there are certain things the team needs to definitely do.

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#3 Runs from senior batsmen

Action from CA XI v India - International 4-Day Tour Match: Day 2

The reason for India failing in both England and South Africa was quite evident to any cricket follower. The Indian batting line-up simply did not do enough in either series for the team to build formidable totals. Apart from the notable exception of Virat Kohli, all other Indian batsmen did not produce the goods for the team in either place. The Indian captain was the top scorer with 293 runs in three Tests in South Africa and 593 in five Tests in Australia. However, no other Indian batsman got even half of his runs in either series.

If India wish to win a series overseas, they need big contributions from more than one batsman. It is vital for the senior batsman to step up their game and provide sufficient support to Virat Kohli. The crucial thing is to let young players like Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant and Hanuman Vihari find their feet in International cricket. The onus is on the veteran members of the team to produce the big scores.

Firstly, the vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane needs to pull up his socks. In India's last overseas cycle, Rahane had taken world cricket by storm by producing impressive performances in every tour. His century at MCG is one that stands out in the Indian cricket fan's memories. However, over the last couple of years, Rahane's form does not inspire much confidence. In his last 23 Test matches, he has scored only 1062 runs at a below-par average of 29.50.

Another player who needs to do more for the team is Cheteshwar Pujara. The India number three's overall Test average is a remarkable 49.55. In the 'SENA' countries, it dramatically drops to 29.30.

Earlier this year, he struck a fantastic century at Southampton. However, in the rest of his seven outings, Pujara scored only 146 runs. Even in South Africa, Pujara only had one 50+ score to show in six innings. The team needs a lot more than just one good knock a series by a player of his caliber.

For the nth time, the selectors have given a recall to Rohit Sharma in the Test squad. The fact that the Mumbaikar is one of the best limited-overs players around is not even up for debate.

However, he has failed to translate his ability to Test cricket. While his home record is impressive with an average of 85, it's outside the subcontinent where he has largely disappointed. In 12 matches in SENA countries, Rohit has only 2 half centuries to show for. It is clearly now-or-never for Rohit in the longer format. Runs from his bat could make all the difference in the series. The Australian pitches will suit his game and he simply needs to make the most of this chance or else India need to move past him in Test cricket.

#2 Starts from openers

Action from CXI v India - International 4-Day Tour Match: Day 4

Most importantly, the openers have to step up their game for India. Neither in England nor in South Africa did India get the desired starts from their openers. This has led to the rightful axing of Shikhar Dhawan from the team. However, he was not the only one responsible for India's poor opening stands. In all the eight Tests, India did not have a single opening stand more than a 100 runs. In 16 innings, only thrice India crossed 50 runs without losing at least one opener.

The importance of successfully negotiating the new ball in overseas conditions is well documented. If the opening pair again fails in Australia, India's chances to win any Test match will decrease. Someone like K.L Rahul has to step up to the party. Except for his century at Oval, KL Rahul has not crossed the 50 mark once in 2018. He is no longer a youngster and it's high time he starts delivering the goods.

The unfortunate injury to Prithvi Shaw is set to ensure a recall for Murli Vijay. A few months ago when he was sent home midway from the England series, it looked like Vijay's India career was over.

While he will be lucky to wear the whites for India again, it is necessary for him to repay the trust in him. Vijay did get a significant score in either South Africa or England and the drop was not a surprise to anyone. If he fails to succeed even in Australia, it is hard to see a way back for him. Both for his career's sake and team's good, runs have to flow of Vijay's bat in Australia.

#1 Spinners need to step up

Action from England v India: Specsavers 4th Test - Day One

The traditional strength of Indian cricket has always been spin -- whether it be batsman dominating opposition spinner or Indian spinners running through the opponent's batting order. However, off late the tables seem to have turned. Currently, the Indian fans feel more confident about their pace than the spinners and for good reason. The current crop of pacers is arguably India best ever attack as they showed in South Africa and England.

However, Australian pitches are unlikely to provide the pacers with the same support as the ones in England and South Africa. The tour to Australia will test their patience as wickets will not come easy. It will be very important for the Indian pacers to show consistency with their line and lengths or they will surely be made to pay.

What is crucial in these conditions is for the spinners to step up their game, something that has not happened in recent tours. In both South Africa and England, Ravichandran Ashwin was India's first choice spinner.

While he got a few wickets, he let the team down on vital times. Both the second innings at Centurion and Southampton had perfect conditions for a spinner to exploit but Ashwin only took one wicket each. Such opportunities are likely to open multiple times in Australia and India cannot afford their spinners to let them down again.

Both Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav are viable options on the bench for India. Jadeja's Test record at home is better than Ashwin's impeccable record with an average of 20. His left arm spin will be more useful on tracks that do not have a lot of turn in them.

On the other hand, Kuldeep's variation is something teams have found it hard to pick in limited-overs cricket. On the large Australian grounds, a wrist spinner is a captain's dream. There is no reason for Ashwin to be a guaranteed starter in Australia and Virat Kohli should give his choice of spinner a long and hard thought as they are capable of making a huge difference. Playing two spinners is also an idea India should not shy away from especially because all three are capable with the bat.