5 Changes India needs to bring to win the series in Australia 

India's story in England and South Africa was a story of what could have been. India could have won their first test series in South Africa, against a side whose powers are on the wane, moreover, with a world class bowling line up at their disposal, which earlier Indian sides could only dream of. In the end, it was the same old story, counting the positives and ignoring the fact that it was a lost opportunity.

England is going through the worst phase as far as their test batting quality is concerned. With both openers struggling and a non-existent #3. England has only one certainty- Joe Root, in the batting department. Still, India lost the series and let go of a golden opportunity.

Now eyes are turning towards Australia. It might sound rhetoric but Australia is again an opportunity of a lifetime. Two of Australia's top players are out due to ban, their top order is quite uncertain. Their batting in totality, is very fragile. Australia has a captain whose very place in the side is under the clouds.

India has never won a series in Australia, but they can set the record straight this time around. Provided, they have learnt their lessons from England and South Africa. If we are going to look at just the positives then negatives will always remain negatives, as they were never paid heed to. It's time that Indian team gets down to business and iron out the following flaws.

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#1 Get the opening combination right

Shaw should open for India in Australia

India's opening woes costed them dearly during English series. Their openers were clueless against the moving ball. Shikhar Dhawan is a clear-cut case of an ouster from the team. India should try out a new combination before the start of Australian series.

They have ample opportunity to try out new openers before the start of the first test against Australia. West Indies is coming to India and Prithvi Shaw should get a debut test against them.

KL Rahul has a game which suits the bounce on Australian pitches, so he should be persisted with. Indian team has requested for a few practice games before the first test in Australia. This new opening combination should play those games too.

By the time the first test on Australian tour arrives, the new opening pair would have few games under their belt to get settled.

#2 Get acclimatize to Australian pitches by playing few tour games

Pujara during a net session

One important lesson learnt from the English tour is the fact that the visiting team should get used to the conditions before the horse is bolted. As Australian conditions are very different from Indian Conditions, it's imperative for the Indian side to play a sufficient number of tour games.

It's a positive sign that Indian team management has requested for few practice games before the first test, as India needs to stick to this old-school method of playing enough practice games before the start of the tour, because at times change is not a necessity.

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#3 Indian batsmen should get ready to do some old school batting

England v India: Specsavers 5th Test - Day Two

Bred on T-20 cricket, a lot of players in the modern day Indian Test team find it difficult to get out of T-20 mindset when playing Test cricket. As a result, they play with inflated egos and don't give bowlers their due in testing conditions.

A perfect template for Test match batting is to give respect to bowlers during the initial period and then the whole day is yours to exploit. In T-20 cricket, wickets are flat and batsmen can attack bowlers from the word go, but in Test cricket, especially in overseas conditions, batting is difficult. One has to be patient and give bowlers due respect.

This is one aspect where Indian batsmen are found wanting and for inspiration, they don't have to look outside their team, They should watch some tapes of Kohli vs. Anderson battle. Kohli gave due respect to Anderson on the English tour and reaped rewards.

#4 Virat Kohli the captain, should get his act together

Kohli needs to put his thinking cap on

Kohli's captaincy left a lot to be desired in the English tour. He is a not a novice as he has played 40 test matches as captain. Some of the mistakes made by him during the series like taking Ashwin off against newly arrived sam Curran during the first test looked like that of a novice.

He should chart out strategies and be crystal clear before the start of Australian series, more so as he has sufficient time on his hand as he is rested for Asia cup. Having a world class bowling attack is one thing and using them to good effect is another and Kohli has to learn just that.

#5 Get the selection right

England v India: Specsavers 5th Test - Day Three

Team selection was a major issue during the English tour. India would need to be vigilant about this aspect on the Australian tour.

First and foremost, frequent chopping and changing should be avoided. Second, a detailed study of the prevailing conditions should be done, also, the history of the pitch should be taken into account before selecting the eleven.