Steve Smith will have an enormous challenge leading Australia out against India at the Maharashtra Stadium on February 23rd.
The Indian team are the top-ranked test side for good reason. They have just come off series wins against England and New Zealand, in both Virat Kohli led his side to annihilate the opposition.
Australia on the other hand will be buoyed by their return to form in the series against Pakistan, Darren Lehmann will hope his players can build on those performances in India.
The side I've selected from the 16-man squad is similar to that which wrapped up the series win against Pakistan in Sydney. Hilton Cartwright hasn't been selected for the series, so Glenn Maxwell makes his return to the side.
It's a tough call on the final selection, ideally we could utilise the sub-continent experience of Shaun Marsh, but nobody in the top five can be dropped after their terrific summers.
We also need a fifth bowler in Indian conditions. The wicket in Pune is an unknown as this will be the first test match played there. However assuming it heavily favours spin then the decision comes down to Maxwell or Agar. Maxwell comes out slightly ahead based on his experience in India.
First XI:
D. Warner
M. Renshaw
U. Khawaja
S. Smith
P. Handscomb
G. Maxwell
M. Wade
M. Starc
S. O'Keefe
J. Hazlewood
N. Lyon
Not selected: S. Marsh, M. Marsh, A. Agar, M. Swepson, J. Bird.
