Australia in Transition Have a Battle on Their Hands Against Ever-Improving Indians

India visit Australia to play five ODIs and three Twenty20s in what's touted to be the battle of the heavyweights. There are many hurdles in front of the visitors but Australia, the five-time World Champions, face new challenges of their own, which has made that invincible aura at home a little less formidable.(Dhoni's Best Chance to Win a Series Down Under)

For one, a certain Mr. Mitchell Starc is cooling his heels recovering from an injury. His abilities would have been an asset against a jittery Indian top-order, which has time and again succumbed to quality fast and swing bowling. India failed to beat the Australians even once last summer Down Under - losing the Tests 2-0 and not a win in the Carlton Mid ODI tri-series, involving England.

Starc was not so much a force in the Tests - playing just two Tests and taking seven wickets. However, his quality came to the fore in the ODIs, ending the tri-series as the highest wicket-taker with 12 wickets in five matches, including a haul of 6/43 against India in the first match of the tri-series in Melbourne.(India in Australia: Top 10 Memorable Contests)

The Indians fortunately escaped his wrath in their next meeting against the Aussies as the rain gods came to the rescue in Sydney. However, Starc wasn't finished yet with India as he returned to haunt them in the World Cup warm-up - taking two wickets in just four overs bowled - and then again in the World Cup semi-final where he accounted for another two in his miserly eight-over spell.

Then, there is the case of a youthful team under a young captain. Post the Ricky Ponting-era, Michael Clarke brought a sense of calmness to the Australian set-up and that is also evident in Steven Smith.

However, there seems to be a bit of uncertainty in the Aussie line-up. There is no settled feel in this team, compared to previous Australian XIs. There are a few players like for example Shaun Marsh, who are in and out of the side.

Even the bowling has a little unsettled look to it!

Mitchell Johnson - retired, Mitchell Starc - injured, Pat Cummins - injured, Peter Siddle - not played an ODI in five years.

That leaves Australia really thin in the pace department with a returning James Pattinson, John Hastings, Mitchell Marsh, Josh Hazlewood and Gurinder Sandhu to maybe rely on - suddenly the task for India doesn't look so scary.

It goes without saying, the Indians don't travel well, especially outside the subcontinent and the less said about their record Down Under, the better.

India have played 135 matches in total in Australia, winning just 42, losing 76 and the rest being drawn or tied or no result.

In the 50-over format, however, this record improves - 88 matches played, 36 wins and 46 losses - nothing to write home about but still an improvement nonetheless from the Test format.

And herein lies the visitors best chance to dent the Aussie pride. With an Australian team in transition and without their big guns, it is without doubt the best chance India has!