"I’d be nervous if I’m in that batting order" - David Warner on India having to face Australia right after a home whitewash

Former Australia opening batter David Warner feels the out-of-form Indian batting unit should be 'nervous' about facing the intimidating Australian bowling quartet after a dismal home series against New Zealand. The Men in Blue are scheduled to tour Australia for five Tests, beginning from November 22 onwards.

Team India succumbed to the New Zealand bowling unit to lose their first red-ball series on home soil since 2012. To make matters worse, they also lost the series finale at the Wankhede Stadium to suffer their first-ever home series whitewash.

The 0-3 result has cast serious doubts over their qualification for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, as they lost the top spot even before the tour of Australia.

Warner hailed New Zealand for setting the tempo early on by bowling out India for 46 in the series opener in Bengaluru.

"I look back at that first Test that they played and they took some amazing catches and that sets the tone. If you are taking catches like that and you get that upper hand and you lead the series one-nil, it’s big. I know how tough it is to win over there. What they’ve just done is absolutely outstanding, and credit to them," David Warner said on-air during the first ODI between Australia and Pakistan in Melbourne on November 4 (via Fox Sports).

“And it helps the Australian guys. They’re coming out here after being beaten at home three-nil for five Tests against the Australian boys, (who have) three world class quicks and a world class spin bowler, and I’d be nervous if I’m in that batting order. I would be nervous,” he ominously added.

New Zealand outplayed India across departments over the course of the three Tests. Will Young and Rachin Ravindra led the charge with the bat, while Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner dominated the bowling proceedings. The remainder of the squad chipped in as well.

"The Australian top order needs to make runs" - David Warner

With Australia still extensively searching for Warner's replacement, the former opener opined that the top order needs to be among the runs to put India under pressure. With Steve Smith restored at No. 4, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne will reprise their usual roles. The opening slot remains the final piece of the puzzle for the Men in Yellow.

“The Australian top order needs to make runs. They’ve got Mohammed Shami, who’s currently on the road to recovery with the knee - he potentially could be out here with the team - (and) you have … Bumrah and Siraj who are their spearheads," Warner said during the first ODI between Australia and Pakistan.

“I think if Australia can get through those two gentlemen, there could be some big runs put on the board. But … we’re going to have to come out with our chest out against India. We have lost our last two series here against India (and) they have got a lot to play for," Warner concluded.

Australia have begun their home summer on the right note as the bowlers have dismantled the Pakistan batting unit (203 all out) in the ongoing first ODI at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).