India, Australia look to address top-order woes before BGT series

While India are reeling from a 0-3 whitewash by New Zealand, Australia struggled against Pakistan

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

The upcoming five-Test series between India and Australia will kick off at the new stadium in Perth, but the older venue, Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) will have a deeper say into the efforts put by both teams ahead of the opening Test from 22 November.

While India will be desperate to put behind the recent humiliation at the hands of New Zealand in the wake of a first-ever 0-3 whitewash at home, Australia's top-order will also have a lot to work on if they are to outthink the genius of Jasprit Bumrah and Co.

The absence of Mohammed Shami could be a dampener for the visitors, but that doesn't lack the sting in the Indian attack, especially on pace-friendly surfaces like the one in Perth.

Mixing formats to judge form isn't the ideal way, but going by Australia's almighty drubbing at the hands of Pakistan in the second ODI in Adelaide, one can say that the home batters also have a need to work on their batting ahead of their face-off with a quality Indian pace attack.