Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting doesn't believe India are absolutely certain of their Test playing XI leading into the tour down under. Ponting thinks skipper Virat Kohli's return home post the first Test in Adelaide will only add to visitors' woes.
Uncertainty around the make-up of the side, especially when Kohli is absent, Ponting feels will ensure India's task of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is made extremely difficult, considering also the fact that Australia will be at full strength this time.
"The one thing we haven't spoken enough about is yes India were really good here last time, but with those guys (Smith and Warner) missing at the top of the order, that leaves a big gap in any team," Ponting told cricket.com.au.
"India will feel that without Kohli there (for three Tests), for his batting and leadership, that'll put all sorts of pressure on different players. You'd think (Ajinkya) Rahane will take over the captaincy, which will put extra pressure on him, and they've got to find someone to bat at that really important No.4 spot."
"I don't think they'll be clear in their own mind, even now, what their batting order will look like for the first Test. Who's going to open, who'll bat at four when Kohli goes?" he asked.
Question marks are being raised whether Australia are certain of personnel for a couple of spots in their line-up, but Ponting thinks Indians have far more issues to resolve around their balance.
"The questions that are being asked around Australia with Pucovski and Green, I think India have got a few more questions to answer," he said.
"(Fast bowlers Mohammad) Shami, Jasprit Bumrah – will it be Ishant (Sharma), with it be Umesh Yadav, will it be a young guy like (Navdeep) Saini or (Mohammad) Siraj?"
"They've got a lot of questions to ask as well. And which spinner? They've got a few spinners in their squad and they've got to figure out which one to pick for the pink-ball game in Adelaide," Ponting added.
