5 things that will help India on away tours

5. Big partnerships by the middle order batsmen

We saw Suranga Lakmal making Indian batsmen dance to his tunes in a pitch that didn't look any different from the outfield. Away tours won't be any different from Eden Gardens. If anything, it will only be more difficult for the batsmen to negotiate with extra pace and bounce.

Also, there is a considerable lift in terms of the quality of fast bowlers that we are talking about. Clearly, the Rabadas, Andersons, Starcs and Boults will be more lethal in their own background than Lakmal. They can make the ball talk.

So it is going to be relentless pressure at the batsman all the time. Big partnerships from the middle order are absolutely necessary to put on a good score. While Kohli has been playing brilliantly like Kohli always does, his runs will be absolutely crucial. Rahane's form has been worrying of late. He was India's best overseas batsman last time around.

A big-daddy hundred in his next 2 matches against Sri Lanka will do his confidence a world of good. Also if going with 6 proper batsmen is the plan, Rohit Sharma should be given enough time in the middle before he boards the flight to South Africa.

After the 2 centuries that he scored in Sachin's farewell series, he is yet to score a hundred in the purest form of cricket. The performances of India's No.5 and No.6 will be very crucial to put on a big score.