What Australia need to do to be successful on India tour

Australia thrashed Pakistan 3-0 at home but the Aussies know what to expect from their tour to India.

They are extremely cautious about what to expect when they meet the World No 1 Test team in their own backyard especially after having a disastrous time when they last toured India in 2013 -- they were blanked 0-4.

While captain Steve Smith said he was under no illusion that will be a tough tour, coach Darren Lehmann feels that his boys will have to do what England could not do on a few occasions.

India beat England 4-0 in Test series that ended last month.

"Batting long periods of time is going to be the key. I think (England's captain) Alastair Cook summed it up really well on their tour, where they didn't bat long enough. They got decent scores but they still didn't bat long enough. That's going to be the challenge for this group," said Lehmann.

"We batted 135 overs in the first innings (in Sydney). We'll need to bat for 150 overs plus in India to post a big total. It's a great challenge for the young group. They're fit and strong so they should be able to bat long periods of time."

Asked about what kind of squad composition is expected against India, the coach didn't divulge even though there is a buzz that veteran opener Shaun Marsh will find a place in the squad.

"It is a case of what's the best line-up to win in India and compete. At the moment, you would say he would play but we have to sum up what the conditions are like, what the pitches will be like, how we will play everyone in the XI to give us a chance to take 20 wickets."

The first Test against India is scheduled to start in Pune on February 23.