Australia v India Test series: Fear factor driven by Aussies rapidly disappearing as tourists regroup

There was a serenity about India in Melbourne that is even more intimidating than Virat Kohli’s swagger. Their poker face is unnerving. And it has exposed Australia.

Australia is in desperate need of batting reinforcements, but something even more important has vanished from their armoury … the fear factor.

Australia just doesn’t scare India any more.

It’s not just old sweats like Ajinkya “Ice Veins’’ Rahane that are calmly holding their ground.

You can see it in the eyes of nerveless debutants such as batsman Shubman Gill and young fast bowler Mohammed Siraj who looked as if they were playing their 50th Tests rather than their first.

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A demoralised Aussie outfit must regroup for the third Test.

There is a serenity about them that is even more intimidating than Virat Kohli’s swagger.

It’s like being in a staring competition with Clint Eastwood. India’s poker face is unnerving.

At least with Kolhi you always knew what he was thinking.

Perversely, the fact that India could be bowled out for 36 in Adelaide actually endorses the theory that the fear factor is gone.

After copping global humiliation from their Adelaide disappearing act, India nonchalantly rose from the canvas like a boxer after a stray whack and resumed hostilities without a single scar, romping to a win for the ages.

Put it down as one of the greatest displays of mental toughness ever seen in a touring cricket side in Australia.

If Australia wins this series they will have to do it through the force of their deeds, not their personalities. Unlike many home series, their huffing and puffing will not blow anyone’s house down.

Shubman Gill made an excellent Test debut.

Mohammed Siraj was intimidating.

Talk about cool cats. Rahane had a right to do star jumps when he hit the winning runs after a match in which he scored a classic century and captained his team superbly.

His reaction? He quietly took his gloves off, shook hands with the umpire and walked off like a man who just finished a net session.

Indian journalist Bharat Sundaresan has a theory that all the talk about the Kohli swagger representing modern India is misguided and the real “new India’’ is the quiet confidence of men like Rahane, Ravi Ashwin and those two young debutants who are comfortable in their own skin.

Ajinkya Rahane punishes the Aussies on day four. Picture: Getty Images

Since the Indian Premier League started more than a decade ago, there have been theories that India would one day become a juggernaut because of the combined force of its cricketing wealth and the exposure of their young cricketers to global stars.

That day has arrived. India are nigh unbeatable at home and difficult to beat away.

Their players mix with so many big names in the IPL they are beyond being star struck.

India are right back in the series hunt.

This loss is hugely chastening for Australia because predictions of a 4-0 whitewash were everywhere after Adelaide.

Had Australia won this Test David Warner would probably have been rested for the next one. Now he is likely to play.

Joe Burns may have got another life, now he is likely to be dropped.

Travis Head would have been certain to hold his place. Now Australia will contemplate playing Will Pucovski.

India have lost their captain and two fast bowlers yet suddenly — remarkably — their house seems in order.

They are a calm, collected and dangerous foe.

Originally published as Australia v India Test series: Fear factor driven by Aussies rapidly disappearing as tourists regroup