India called out over 'arrogant' move before blockbuster Test cricket series with Australia

Cricket reporter Robbert Craddock has let rip at India for their 'arrogance' having already announced their squad to tour Australia despite being in the middle of a series against New Zealand. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and the Indian team are facing immense backlash having lost their first Test series in 12 years at home against the Kiwis.

Mitchell Santner helped spin New Zealand to an unassailable 2-0 lead with a 13-wicket haul as the ageing Indian squad looked hapless at home. Captain Sharma admitted the team was 'hurting' as they face backlash with one more Test to go, before travelling to Australia.

"It has happened in two Test matches. We've won 18 straight series in India, so it means we've done a lot of good things," Rohit told reporters. "In this series, we might not have been able to bat the way we wanted but such things happen. We've made runs consistently on challenging pitches in India. I don't want to think we've done a lot wrong."

The likes of Kohli are still struggling with their red-ball form and things will only get harder for India as they face Australia away with the five-Test series starting in November. And Craddock has called out India for naming their Test squad to tour Australia in the middle of the series with New Zealand.

One bizarre call was not allowing Mohammed Shami enough time to prove his fitness for the series starting next month. “But even the arrogance, and I'll put this one back to you,” Craddock told Gerard Whateley on SEN Radio. “I was stunned by how they arrogantly announced their team for Australia before the third Test.

“Like, they’ve got another Test to play, but they grandly announced their team to Australia. Like Mohammed Shami, who's an absolute masterful bowler, they drew a line under him because he wasn't playing domestic cricket. But I mean, I'd have been given him every chance (to face Australia) and I tweeted a video of him bowling in the nets.”

Host Whately claimed India may have taken the New Zealand challenge for granted having lined-up the announcement after two Tests. “I think it was the assumption - particularly after New Zealand's performance in Sri Lanka - that this was the tune-up, they were going to win,” Whateley said. “It was, ‘We don't need to worry too much about what's in front of us’.” Craddock has also questioned how Kohli is going to cope in the Australian conditions as his time in the red-ball format slowly comes to an end.

Virat Kohli facing Australia dilemma ahead of tour

Kohli may be one of the greatest batters in cricket history, but their is little doubt the 35-year-old has struggled for runs in recent years. Kohli has always risen to the occasion in Australia and enjoys the fierce rivalry between the two cricketing giants.

However, with his retirement from Test cricket looming in many eyes, Kohli's tour could decide whether he plays on for his country. Kohli has only scored 245 runs across his last 10 innings for India. Against New Zealand he has only scored 88 runs in four innings.

Whately asked Craddock if Kohli was hoping for "one more great series in Australia" to finish his career. And Craddock feels Kohli may struggle in Australian conditions this summer with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ready to tear into the 'vulnerable' Indian attack. This could determine how much longer Kohli decides to play this form of the game.

"I am just wondering if there is just one last squeeze of the lemon for Kohli in Australia. I don't think there is. I think he has played so much cricket he is a fading force....I reckon his eye is going." Australia are also facing pressure to win back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy this summer with India winning the last two series. David Warner's absence at the top of the order also means Australia are facing a huge selection call on who will open with Usman Khawaja throughout the series.

India facing battle to reach World Test Championship

India are also facing a battle to make their third consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final. The touring team will be seeking a result against Australia to put themselves in the frame to make another final. But Sharma feels talking about the World Test Championship ahead of the Australian series is too early.

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"I think it's too early to think about the WTC. I'm just hurting because we lost the game, that's what I'll say, I can't think about what lies ahead," the captain added. "I think we didn't play well enough in these two games and that is hurting, we lost the series, that is hurting.

"There are things that need to do as a unit, not just the batters but also the bowlers; it's a collective failure. We want to show up well at Wankhede and try and win that Test match," he said, determined for a strong fightback in the third Test, which starts this week in Mumbai."