Aus vs Ind 2018-19: 5 Points that will decide the second Test 

#4 India’s seamers vs Australia’s top order

Ishant Sharma had Aaron Finch's measure in Adelaide

Much was made of India’s pace attack in the build-up to this series, and in Adelaide, they did not disappoint.

Their bowlers shared the wickets around, with each of the four bowlers taking only between one and three wickets in both innings, but all looking threatening at various stages.

Australia’s top order, meanwhile, looked shaky at best. The suspensions of David Warner and Steve Smith in the wake of the ball-tampering incident have unsurprisingly weakened Australia’s batting line-up. But in addition to their suspensions, the scatter-gun selections that have seen Australia’s batting line-up be constantly changed over the past few years, have meant that Australia are also left sorely lacking experience.

This puts added emphasis on the wickets of Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh, who with over 30 Tests each are comfortably Australia’s most experienced batsmen.

This is alarming, as neither of the two have been particularly consistent throughout their Test careers.

Khawaja has had a reasonable year, with his match-saving hundred in the United Arab Emirates being one of the few bright spots from Australia's tour. However, as previously mentioned, his trouble with off-spinners could see him struggle against Ashwin throughout the tour.

Marsh's international form has not been good. He averages just 25.27 in 2018, and his 60 in Adelaide was the first time he reached 50 in 13 innings, and the first time he reached double figures in the last six innings.

But Marsh averaged 88.60 in the three Sheffield Shield games he played, and may be buoyed by playing in his home state.

The inexperienced opening pair batting above them, makes the performances of these two particularly crucial.

Aaron Finch's poor form continued in Adelaide, and while Marcus Harris did make starts, his failure to capitalize on these starts was one of the reasons Justin Langer cited, for letting his contract expire when he was Harris's coach for Western Australia.

If the Indian seamers continue to dominate Australia's top order, then it is difficult to see Australia making the runs needed to challenge a far more settled India batting line-up.