India take on Australia in the second Test of the four-match series at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in the South Indian city of Bengaluru from 4 March.
Having seen their 19-match unbeaten streak end in Pune after Australia crushed them by a mammoth 333-run margin, Virat Kohli's men are in danger of conceding the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as Australia would retain it if they manage to win the Bengaluru Test and even draw the series at 2-2.
India were stunned by Steve Smith's men, who adapted wonderfully well to the spinner-friendly conditions in Pune, much to the surprise of experts and former players, who predicted an Australian collapse after having a glimpse at the track.
Led by left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe, who picked up 12 wickets in the match, orchestrated India's batting collapse in both the innings, which has been a rare phenomenon in their ongoing home season.
Captain Kohli, who had been in imperious form, was dismissed for 0 in the first innings and for 13 in the second. Middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane's poor form is a major concern for the hosts, who prefer going in with five-bowler attack. However, Kohli will be tempted to drop off-spinner Jayant Yadav and bring in triple-centurion Karun Nair to add depth to the batting unit.
On the other hand, Australia and skipper Smith, who scored the only ton of the first Test, will want to make use of the momentum and make it 2-0 in Bengaluru. A lot will depend on whether or not O'Keefe and Nathan Lyon can outclass their Indian counterparts - R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja - once again, this time on what is expected to be a "slow turner" at the Chinnaswamy.
TV Schedule
Malaysia: Astro Cricket
India: Star Sports 1, 3
Australia: Fox Sports
New Zealand: Sky Sport
UK: Sky Sports 2
US: Willow TV
South Africa: Supersport
Middle East: OSN Sports
Team News
India
Possible XI: Kohli (c), Rahul, Vijay, Pujara, Rahane, Saha (wk), Ashwin, Jadeja, Nair, Bhuvneshwar, Yadav
Australia
Possible XI: Smith (c), Warner, Renshaw, Marsh, Handscomb, M Marsh, Wade (wk), Lyon, O'Keefe, Starc, Hazlewood
