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

#3 India’s Openers

KL Rahul has struggled for form of late

Vijay and Rahul’s 63-run partnership in the visitor’s second innings in Adelaide was a very encouraging sign for India. It was the highest opening stand between the pair, and came at a vital stage in the game.

It does not, however, guarantee that the same pair will be opening in Perth, since both Vijay and Rahul average below 25 in 2018.

Shaw’s fitness will likely determine whether the Indian side remains unchanged, but even if he does not recover from his injury on time, it is possible that Vihari will come into the team. This could mean a straight swap for Rohit Sharma at number six, and would therefore leave the openers unchanged. But there is also the possibility that he will replace Rahul or even Vijay, which will move up Rohit Sharma to one of the opener's slots.

The speculation over the opening position shows that it is not currently India’s strengths. Australia also have the means to exploit this potential weakness. Australia's pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood is now well-established at Test level.

Starc wasn’t at his best in the first Test, and arguably hasn’t been at his best since the injury he suffered in Sri Lanka in 2016. But Hazlewood, conversely, looked in fine form, dismissing Rahul in both innings.

The Indian openers, whoever they end up to be, therefore have a difficult task ahead of them. However, it should also be noted that if India’s openers do see off the new ball, then they pave the way for a big score. This is because, unlike the Duke ball, the Kookaburra ball is harder to find reverse swing with, and subsequently loses much of its potency after the first few overs.

If India’s openers blunt the new ball, then they set thing up nicely for the likes of Pujara, Kohli and Rahane, enabling them to pose an imposing total for Australia’s fragile batting side.