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The full squad is listed below with a little bit on each of their careers.

Michael Clarke (capt) 
Age: 30
Tests: 76
Runs: 5283 at 46.34
State: NSW
Clarke has thrived on the responsibility of captaincy, scoring  541 runs at 45.08 in Australia’s past seven Tests. However an embarrassing loss in the recent Hobart Test to New Zealand and uncertainty over the playing futures of Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey add to the skipper’s headaches.

Dan Christian 
Age: 28
Tests: 0
Wickets/runs: 0
State: SA
Promoted to No.6 by South Australia, Christian has scored 475 Sheffield Shield runs at 59.37 this season. With a career first-class bowling average of 35.06, he represents the allrounder option Australia need with Shane Watson out of the first Test because of injury. Is battling Shaun Marsh for a spot in the top six.

Ed Cowan 
Age: 29
Tests: 0
Runs: 0
State: Tas
With three hundreds in his past three first-class games, plus a century in the tour game against India, the NSW product is in tremendous form. An opener who doesn’t have the same big-hitting approach of Warner, Cowan can complement his former NSW squad-mate’s style at the top of the order.

Brad Haddin 
Age: 34
Tests: 39
Runs: 2171 at 36.18
Dismissals: 142ct, 4st
State: NSW
Recently criticised by Ian Healy for “sub-standard” glovework in South Africa and Sri Lanka, Haddin is one of several veterans facing scrutiny from selectors. His shot selection has been outrageously bad at times in recent Tests and needs to produce a good all-round series.

Ben Hilfenhaus 
Age: 28
Tests: 17
Wickets: 55 at 34.65
State: Tas
Hasn’t played a Test since last summer’s Ashes series. The swing specialist has remodelled his action since recovering from tendinitis in his left knee. His 20 wickets at 28.60 in five Sheffield Shield games indicate he’s back in the swing of things.

Mike Hussey 
Age: 36
Tests: 66
Runs: 5196 at 50.44
State: WA
Like Ponting, Hussey is nearing the end of a fine career. Was a massive failure in the series against South Africa and New Zealand. With an Ashes tour on the horizon in 2013, the popular middle-order veteran is under the pump. But having waited until 30 to make his debut, he sees no reason to go just yet.

Nathan Lyon 
Age: 24
Tests: 7
Wickets: 22 at 24.59
State: SA
The former Adelaide Oval groundsman has been a spectacular success despite the pressure of being the 12th spinner used since Shane Warne’s retirement five years ago. Warne has expressed confidence in Lyon who will be targeted by India’s superstars who can make facing offspin look very easy.

Shaun Marsh
Age: 28
Tests: 3
Runs: 284 at 56.80
State: WA
Looks the part as a No.3 but has an unfortunate ability to pick up injuries, including a back problem which kept him out of Australia’s past three Tests. Has not played first-class cricket since mid-November. Has the chance to cement his spot after Usman Khawaja was dropped for the Melbourne Test.

James Pattinson 
Age: 21
Tests: 2
Wickets: 14 at 14.00
State: Vic
Man of the match in his first Test, the young paceman has made a remarkable entry to Test cricket with two five-wicket hauls in two games. Moving the ball away at speed, Pattinson has hit upon a successful bowling style and appears to have a big future.

Ricky Ponting 
Age: 37
Tests: 158
Runs: 12656 at 52.29
State: Tas
While Ponting is Test cricket’s third-highest runscorer, he has averaged under 35 in his past four series. Falling across his stumps, the once-feared strokeplayer now looks vulnerable to be out lbw at any moment. Just how long he can hang on without performing to his usual standard is the big question.

Peter Siddle 
Age: 27
Tests: 37
Wickets: 91 at 31.65
State: Vic
With nine wickets in two Tests against New Zealand, the big-hearted quick has become the new leader of Australia’s attack following the absence of injured left-armer Mitchell Johnson. Siddle is a home-town hero at the MCG and will test out any bounce in the pitch against India’s top order.

Mitchell Starc 
Age: 21
Tests: 2
Wickets: 4 at 50.00
State: NSW
Has achieved modest results and his record stacks up poorly against fellow newcomer Pattinson. Starc does add variety to the attack as a left-armer but will be more effective with the new ball if he can consistently bowl a fourth-stump line. Faces a battle with Hilfenhaus for a place in the side.

David Warner 
Age: 25
Tests: 2
Runs: 153 at 76.50
State: NSW
The opener made his debut in the New Zealand series, carrying his bat with a century in Australia’s second innings in Hobart. A former Twenty20 slogger, the left-hander has become the poster boy for Cricket Australia’s claims that T20 can help rejuvenate the five-day game. Also a brilliant fieldsman.