How India can use the series against WI to prepare for Australia

2. Do not tamper with the middle order

England v India: Specsavers 3rd Test - Day Three

During the 2000s, when India finally managed to come to terms with their batting issues outside the subcontinent one thing was consistent - you knew who was going to show up at numbers 3,4,5 and 6. A few failures in a series or in a few matches did not lead to their exclusion from the team. The management understood the potential of Dravid, Sachin, Gangule and Laxman. To put things into perspective, I have compared the performance of Dravid, Laxman and Ganguly during their first and second tour of Australia which demonstrates how these greats developed as players over time and gave better returns with experience-

Picture 2: Even the greats of the game improved over time to achieve what they did

Unfortunately, the current team management has not shown similar support for Rahane and Pujara. They will not admit how much we missed Rahane in the first two tests in SA earlier this year and Pujara at Edgbaston, where the margins of defeat were so narrow.

Having your position in the team hanging by a thread is never a big confidence booster, and this is especially true for Rahane and Pujara who represent the team only in Test cricket. I feel that considering their experience, their technique and the fact that we do not have a player who seems ready to replace them, the two should be supported by the team management.

They should be told that they are the certainty in the XI during the 4 tests in Australia, so that they can go out and express themselves. Both of them played some good knocks in England but barring Trent Bridge, the batting just could not click as a group. Nobody will be surprised if the trio of our current middle order stitch together a few big partnerships in the series Down Under.