Mystery surrounds the make-up of India’s bowling attack for the first Test, which starts in Adelaide on Tuesday.

Swing specialist Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the only Indian bowler to play the entire five-Test series against England earlier this year and loomed as an automatic selection.

However, Kumar has an ankle issue that could force him to miss the opening clash of the four-Test series.

Express paceman Varun Aaron and Mohammed Shami shared the new ball in the first innings of India’s last-start tour game against a Cricket Australia XI.

Neither has played a Test against Australia, but they’ve impressed in local conditions and are likely to be picked.

Veteran seamer Ishant Sharma started the tour slowly, but his final spell in the recent tour game was an impressive 2-8 from five overs.

Troy Cooley, former bowling mentor of Australia and England, coached the CA XI side and had a close look at the different attacks India trialled in the two tour games.

“They’re starting to come together as a bowling unit,” Cooley said.

“It’ll be really interesting to see who they take into the first Test. I’m sure Varun, Shami and Sharma are all up there.

“You’re going to need a couple of good quicks on Adelaide Oval, you’ll need someone who can dependably tie up an end.”

Aaron looms as India’s answer to Australian spearhead Mitchell Johnson – provided the question is worded a little carelessly.

The right-armer was clocked at 152.1 km/h during a recent one-day match, with pace and bounce his big weapons.

“He’s definitely got some pace about him,” Cooley said of Aaron, who has played three Tests due to a handful of serious injury setbacks.

“He bowled some good spells, and some not so good spells.

“He and Shami were the pick of the quicks.”

Offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin routed Australia in India last year, claiming 29 wickets at an average of 20.10 in the four-Test series.

However Ashwin was rested during India’s final tour game, with legspinner Karn Sharma instead given plenty of overs.

“The pitch wasn’t turning, but Karn Sharma bowled quite well,” Cooley said.