Are Australia prepared for India?

At first glance, that is an insane question to ask, considering what India endured on their most recent foreign tour. But their preparation index - and their desire to learn a lesson - will be judged later.

Right now, this is Australia's big moment. Rewind the clock a little. In the last three summers, Australia lost to England and South Africa at home. They won against New Zealand (always a weaker opponent for them), West Indies (nowadays a weaker opponent for everyone) and Pakistan (it is widely believed they chose to 'play weak' in that series). India are generally considered a better Test outfit than any of these three aforementioned teams and their record Down Under on the last two tours is quite appreciable.

Consider their 4-0 spanking in the summer as an anomaly and the summation is that Michael Clarke should be a worried man indeed.

It can be argued that there are ifs and buts against that last statement. India's batting needs to click, its pivotal figures all need to stay fit, Zaheer Khan has to last all four Tests and they need to find proper support bowlers for him, while hoping that R Ashwin can continue to fill Harbhajan Singh's shoes.

Quite a few things can go wrong for any subcontinental team on a tour to Australia and they will. But there is also the odd chance that it all just comes together perfectly. India will be a very difficult proposition in that light. And this is about that slim, but definite possibility.

One has to begin with their recent tour of South Africa and by any standard, if your team is struggling at 21 for 9 in one of only four Test innings, then the trip isn't really a success. That they came back from the dead to win in Johannesburg is down to the mental strength these Aussies possess.

They can back themselves against the heaviest of odds, in any situation. And 47 all out was a hurtful score indeed, bad enough to awaken even minnows. With a new selection committee coming in ahead of their summer, the task is clear cut - build again.

And they have to start with the two Tests against New Zealand. The process has sort of begun already with Mickey Arthur appointed as new coach. It is a well-thought-out selection. Arthur has been working in their domestic circuit with Western Australia. He took South Africa to good heights during his long term with them and has been given an equally long term here, until 2015.

Normally coaches aren't given such a lengthy contract first up. Plus, under the new system, both the captain and the coach have selection powers. Both these factors only suggest that Australia are keen to see where a proper rebuilding process takes them. And of course they have already set eyes on the next ODI World Cup to be played at home, but that is for much later.

Right now, a new Australian team has to begin with getting rid of those who have outlived their utility. This pointer rests much on Ricky Ponting and to be honest, one isn't a proper judge of where he stands in his career. He is a true legend of the game and has to take a call on his own, yet the need to consult the selectors and his captain is fast arising. Never has he seemed so susceptible while lunging forward - his trademark front foot movement - and the ease with which he fell LBW against the Proteas is a mark of the same.

If Ponting goes, the last bond with that superhuman team of Steve Waugh will be cut. Mike Hussey came much later, so he isn't really a total part of those 'invincibles'. Perhaps it will also allow Clarke some breathing space, something young captains don't really get when you have an ageing old-timer on your back. It isn't really expected that Ponting won't play against India, but beyond that this should be given proper consideration, depending upon form.

In the current scenario, a whole lot of players need to be unearthed and their problems are much similar to India's. A proper spinner, a couple of fit and healthy fast bowlers who can replace Mitchell Johnson and the easily injured Ryan Harris, along with an opener or two to take the load off Shane Watson. And they need to replace Brad Haddin too, for his horrible shot in the second innings at Cape Town alone merits severe punishment, let alone dropping.

Before long, India will be on their way. It is indeed time for Cricket Australia and their wards to get cracking.

Contributed By: Siddharth Jha