5 Indian players who could be star performers in the upcoming tour of Australia

India’s last away series of 2018 is about to begin and Virat Kohli’s side will be aiming to finish the year on a positive note. After a disappointing 4-1 defeat in the Test series in England, India will be hoping to put up an improved performance. Australia will be without the services of their swashbuckling opener David Warner and captain Steve Smith as the duo are serving bans for ball tampering. Australia has two new faces in their squad in the form of fast bowler Chris Tremain and batsman Marcus Harris.

If we compare the two sides, India has a slight edge ahead of Australia as they will be without their two most experienced campaigners David Warner and Steve Smith. Although the Aussies will be without these two star players, a depleted Australian side can’t be taken lightly.

As history suggest, the Aussies have always been tough to beat at home and their winning abilities can’t be undermined even though they don’t have a full-strength side. Their bowlers will surely come hard at our batsmen and the wickets too will play a big role.

Indian batsmen have found it hard to play on bouncy wickets and the Australian pace attack consisting of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood will test the Indian batsmen with bouncers. Our bowlers too will have to bowl well as the Australian batsmen can’t be taken lightly even though they will be without David Warner and Steve Smith. Indian bowlers need to bowl in the right areas so as to create problems for the Australian batsmen.

Coach Ravi Shastri has expressed confidence that the team will do well and has the ability to win in Australia. India needs to play with a positive temperament and need to play as per the situation of a particular game. Playing on Australian wickets will surely be a big challenge for our players. Virat Kohli and his team need to pull up their socks so as to be on par with the Aussies in every department.

However, India has the players who can deliver during crucial situations but the team needs to play consistently well. We take a look at five such players who will be crucial for India’s chances in the upcoming tour.

# 1 Virat Kohli

CA XI v India - International 4-Day Tour Match: Day 2

The skipper has looked in ominous form in the last 4 to 5 years and undoubtedly remains the core of the Indian batting line up. Virat Kohli has played some terrific knocks in recent times that has given India many memorable wins, which is why the Australian pacers might look to target him. Had an impressive outing against Australia in Australia in the 2014-15 tour when he scored 692 runs in the entire test series, but his abilities will once again be tested while leading in Australian conditions.

The Australian pacers might test him by bowling a teasing line around the 'off stump' that James Anderson & co bowled to him during India’s tour of England in 2014 in which Kohli endured a poor run of form.

Though the Indian captain has got the hands to play on fast wickets, he will be under the radar of how he copes with the pace and bounce the South African wickets offer. The skipper had a decent outing in South Africa and England Test series this year and will be hoping to continue with his impressive run of performances overseas.

# 2 Ajinkya Rahane

CA XI v India - International 4-Day Tour Match: Day 2

The 30-year-old Mumbai batsman has a surprising record as he averages 55 overseas, which highlights that the Mumbai batsman has got the technic to play in overseas conditions. This will be a huge morale booster for a batsman who was out of form since the last year or so. Rahane is good at playing both sides of the wicket and can play on bouncy overseas wickets as his record suggests.

He can change gears as the situation demands and looks at ease while playing at the front as well as on the back foot that makes him technically strong. Rahane has always played a crucial role in bailing the team out of danger whenever the chips are down. During India’s tour of Australia in the 2014-15 season Rahane played some eye-catching knocks and scored two half-centuries and one century on that tour.

Virat Kohli needs to include him in the playing eleven as Rahane’s presence adds a lot of stability in the middle order. The 30-year-old has loads of patience and will be the mainstay in the batting order along with Virat Kohli. Rahane shows great hand-eye coordination while playing on fast wickets. Rahane’s solid defence, and his ability to give his best during pressure situations can surely lift the side’s morale. Rahane has the calmness to handle pressure situations.

# 3 Murali Vijay

India Test Headshots Session

Murali Vijay provides a much-needed sting in the Indian batting order. The Tamil Nadu batsman provides tremendous solidity as an opener. Vijay too is technically quite strong and has the technique and footwork that can withstand a potent bowling line up like Australia in Australian conditions. Vijay has got this unique ability to accelerate the scoring by using his feet against the spinners which can break their rhythm.

Vijay’s strength also lies in handling seaming deliveries early on in the innings when the ball is new. Looks uncomfortable while playing short deliveries which the South African bowlers might use against him. Mitchell Starc & co might try to unsettle him by bowling him with some out-swingers during overcast conditions which 'the 33-year-old' has found tough to handle. Vijay is a tough character and has got the temperament to play a big inning once he sets his eye in.

Murali Vijay will open after his impressive performance in the recent warm-up match. The Tamil Nadu batsman hasn’t been in the best of forms this year but the 33-year-old will be eager to prove his worth. In the 2014-15 tour to Australia Vijay produced some superlative performances including his 144 in the first innings of the second test in Brisbane.

# 4 Cheteshwar Pujara

CA XI v India - International 4-Day Tour Match: Day 2

The Saurashtra batsman’s temperament is compared with that of the legendary Rahul Dravid for his ability to bat for long hours. It will be interesting to see whether he can replicate the same nerves when it comes to playing in Australian conditions. The 30-year-old is the core of the Indian middle order along with Virat Kohli. His ability to play for longer hours can frustrate the best bowling lineups. The Saurashtra batsman will be hoping to impress with some gritty performances as the 30-year-old has looked in ordinary form this year.

Pujara can also play unconventional shots against the spinners which could affect their line and length. His highest score in Australian conditions came in the first test in Adelaide when he scored 73 in the first innings. Pujara can be a tough nut to crack as he can play lengthy knocks with his resolute defence which can set the tempo for a big score. His never say die attitude can infuse the same attitude in his teammates.

# 5 Ravichandran Ashwin

2nd Sunfoil Test: South Africa v India, Day 4

Ravichandran Ashwin hasn’t played much this year, but his stint in English County championships could help the off-spinner. He used this as a platform for his preparation for overseas tours. Ashwin has been a clever operator throughout his career with his immaculate line and length combined with his variations to outfox the batsmen. Ashwin clearly is the leader of the pack in the Indian bowling department as far as his experience is concerned.

Ashwin could be primed to handle the responsibility of the spin department along with Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. The 32-year-old had a mediocre season during his 2014-15 tour to Australia where the off-spinner finished the series with 12 wickets. Ashwin will look to better his performances on this tour.

Ashwin might try to bowl in the rough areas which could be a positive sign for the Indian team. Since the last 5 years, he has improved a lot and has kept on adding new variations in his bowling. India will surely be banking on his experience to unsettle the Australian batting line up.