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India hoping to bring fast starts to a halt

Feisty Indian batsman Virat Kohli says Australia's batsmen have been too free to express themselves, calling on his bowlers to make life tougher for the tourists.

Led by Aaron Finch and interim captain George Bailey, Australia have racked up 201 in the Twenty20 and then a match-winning 304 in the opening one-day match in Pune.

Australia's high-octane starts have set the tone for the series, and Kohli says India must put a stop to them in order to get back into the seven-match series.

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"There's a lot of players with belief in their ability (in the Australian side)," Kohli said.

"They came out and expressed themselves.

"We know their gameplan now and what they're going to play like in India this series.

"If you see the last two games they came out all guns blazing while batting.

"We need to counter that and make them work for their runs rather than just (let them) play freely and be in their zone.

"We need to plan a lot better against their batsmen."

The key to that, Kohli says, is making life less pleasant out in the middle.

"We need to make situations tougher for them," he said.

"But I think they're a very talented side."

The 24-year-old also addressed India's perceived weakness against the short ball, which was exploited beautifully by Australia in the opening game.

But Kohli argues it is Australia's pace, not their bounce, that has India jumping.

"Their pace is in our mind but short-pitch deliveries can be bowled by anyone," he said.

"It's not a special trait for Australia, England or South Africa.

"Even Sri Lanka and Pakistan also use short-pitched stuff.

"I have always said that if you see the mode of dismissals, it's more about catch in slips, leg before or bowled.

"Very few batsmen get out to short deliveries.

"It's not a wicket-taking delivery but a tactic used by teams.

"But at international level, one should be ready to play any delivery that is thrown at him."