Australia name unchanged XI for Perth Test

Australia have backed an unchanged XI to level the Test series against India in Perth, where Aaron Finch is set to again open the batting.

The hosts must avoid defeat in the second Test starting on Friday if they are retain to the Border-Gavaskar trophy following India's 31-run victory in Adelaide.

Finch spent time with former Australian captain Ricky Ponting at training on Thursday but has been backed to overcome his form issues at Perth Stadium.

Mitchell Starc has also been entrusted to return to his best form after a wayward performance in Adelaide.

Skipper Tim Paine rubbished suggestions Australia might have considered dropping Starc in Perth.

"I don't think there was any (consideration)," Paine said on Thursday.

"Starcy has been good for us. The criticism he's come under this week has been pretty unfair.

"His best and his worst are getting closer together and I think we're getting closer to his best again.

"When he cops criticism he takes it pretty personally and sometimes that brings the best out of him."

AUSTRALIA XI: Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Tim Paine (capt), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.