Kohli, Pant, and Gill dismissed as unable to face Australian fast bowlers as mind games begin: 'Jaiswal is a standout, but...'

The Indian top order boasts a star-studded lineup with the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and either KL Rahul or Sarfaraz Khan expected to feature. Following them will be the experienced duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin. However, former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has dismissed any hopes of them performing well against the formidable Australian pace attack of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon. While Jaiswal has shown promise with his recent performances, Haddin believes that the young batsman will face a tough challenge on his first Test tour of Australia. Despite his success this year, the 22-year-old will be put to the test against the quality of the Australian bowling attack, according to Haddin.

"I don't think that the Indian batters are going to stand up to our quicks. I know Jaiswal is a really good player, but he hasn't come out and seen Australia before, so I'm not sure whether he is going to handle the bounce. Opening in Perth is hard work," Haddin said.

Finch's take slightly differed from Haddin's, in which he claimed that Australia's top order would struggle equally against the Indian pacers. With Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ashwin, Jadeja and Akash Deep in their ranks, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh won't find it easy despite playing on home conditions. Hence, Finch feels it's the wicketkeepers – Alex Carey and Rishabh Pant – who hold the power to change the tide of the series.

"I think the key could be Alex Carey and Rishabh Pant, the two wicketkeepers are going to be so important. At one time or the other in the series, the top order will get knocked over. Both fast-bowling attacks are so good that they will get on a roll and knock over the top order. So for me it's that really crucial role of Alex at No. 7 and Rishabh at 6 likely. Carey is aggressive, Rishabh is aggressive. The game is going to go one or two ways really quick. And I think that will be so important," said Finch.

"Maybe it's the second new ball, where you are 5 down and it's coming just before stumps. And they take it for 50 in those 10 overs. It just changes the whole momentum of the game. I think it's so important that No. 7 has an impact on the game because in my opinion, both fast-bowling attacks cancel each other out. Nathan, Ashwin, Jadeja… perhaps Nathan with just that advantage playing in Australia. Both batting line-ups haven't been at their best for a little while and that's why the keepers are so important."