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India won't consider adding in-form allrounder Hardik Pandya to their Test squad against Australia until he is able to be back bowling long spells again.

India won't be tempted into wheeling out white-ball star Hardik Pandya in the Test series against Australia until he is back bowling properly.

Pandya was the star of the one-day and Twenty20 series for India, averaging 72 with the bat.

However, the hard-hitting allrounder managed just four overs across the six games on return from a long-standing back injury.

India still have question marks over their No.6 position for next week's first Test in Adelaide, with another middle-order spot to be vacated by Virat Kohli after that match.

Pandya, meanwhile, has not played a Test match since 2018, when he was able to send down about 10 overs per innings.

The 27-year-old was not in India's initial Test squad and, while he could still be added, Kohli said until his bowling was back it would be unlikely.

"He has been outstanding. We knew he wasn't going to be able to bowl (in the white-ball games)," Kohli said.

"But Test cricket is a very different challenge, we need him to bowl. That's when he is the one guy who brings in a lot of balance with us.

"In his own words he wants to get stronger and... be able to provide for India in all three formats.

"He wants to get back into the bowling space and make sure he is available as a pure allrounder in Tests.

"Which becomes way more important because in five days you need that little bit extra from a guy who can bat and bowl.

"He understands that."

Hanuma Vihari therefore remains the favourite to stay in the middle order, after at one stage opening against Australia on India's tour two years ago.

Questions also remain at the top of the order around who will partner Mayank Agarwal.

Prithvi Shaw is the incumbent but both he and Shubman Gill failed to impress in the tour match against Australia A.

Shaw is still the likely front-runner but he has had a poor year across all formats and he was out twice pushing at balls outside off stump in the tour match.

That could leave the last pink-ball warm-up match at the SCG starting Friday as crucial, with KL Rahul looming as the other option.

Wriddhiman Saha and Rishabh Pant are in a duel for the tourists' wicketkeeping role, after the latter missed the first warm-up match with neck soreness.

Veteran Ravichandran Ashwin looks most likely to claim the role as chief spinner, particularly given Ravindra Jadeja is unlikely to overcome a hamstring injury in time for Adelaide.

Umesh Yadav has his nose in front for the battle to be India's third seamer alongside Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, after impressing in the first tour match.