In India, Aussies are underdogs, says Pup

Over and out

The absence of retired veterans Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey opens up spots at numbers 3 or 4 and No. 6, further compounding the selection muddle for Clarke and the other selectors. Watson hasn't scored a Test hundred since his 126 against India at Mohali in October, 2010. He scored the century and two half centuries in Australia's 2-0 sweep on that tour, and averages 40 in his six Tests in India.

"Shane needs to come back into the lineup,'' Clarke said, but added: "It's a lot different now that Watto is not bowling. As an allrounder, I think he walks into any team. As a batsman, there is a much bigger pool of players, so we've got to work out what our best batting lineup is.''

The 17-man Australian squad contains two specialist spinners, two allrounders and an increasingly confident pace bowling group. Despite the glut of bowlers and his history of back problems, Clarke — the premier batsman in the world in 2012 — is expecting he'll have to bowl some of his left-arm spin. "I'm more than happy to bowl as much as I need to bowl,'' Clarke said.

ALSO READ

I didn't do anything extra-ordinary, says Jaydev Unadkat

IPL 2013 LIVE SCORE: Pune Warriors bat, Glenn Maxwell debuts

Russell Domingo replaces Gary Kirsten as South Africa coach

Can under-fire Mancini inspire City to FA Cup win?