India's batsmen will need to remain fresh, says Nielsen

Tim Nielsen, the new Australian coach, feels that the challenge for India's ageing middle-order line-up will be to beat the hectic schedule and remain fresh for the tour to Australia. Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman - all in their thirties - will probably be playing in their last Test series in Australia later this year, but before that there's plenty of cricket in store for the Indian team.

"It's interesting. Apart from the two opening batsmen, they seem to have gone back to a more experienced line-up," Nielsen told the Australian Associated Press. "The challenge for them is, I suppose, they've got the Twenty20 World Series, then they've got the Test series against Pakistan and they come straight to Australia."

Nielsen said that Australia will have the edge as they wouldn't have played as much cricket. "We will be relatively fresh compared with what they will be and that might be a positive for us. That will test these older players of theirs."

He also indicated that Australia had the firepower in their bowling to counter the Indian batsmen. "Two guys bowling at 150-plus kph is an exciting thing. Hopefully, they are all fit, firing and ready to go. The selectors will have a look at what the best combination is," Nielsen said. "The great thing is, whether it be [Mitchell] Johnson, [Shaun] Tait, [Brett] Lee, [Stuart] Clark, [Ben] Hilfenhaus, there is lots of talent around that is screaming out for the opportunity."

Along with the Dravid, Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman, India's Test team to Australia will also include the 36-year-old Anil Kumble. However, all five senior players won't play the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa. Also, Kumble has retired from ODIs while Laxman hasn't played an ODI for India since December last year.