New Zealand’s stunning whitewash of India could well prove a significant boost for Australia as it seeks to reclaim the Border Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade this summer.

That is the widely-held view of a panel of Fox Cricket experts who gathered in Melbourne this weekend ahead of an intriguing five Test series, with each of the former stars staggered by the heroics of the Kiwis against India.

A series triumph on Indian soil proved elusive for sides champion wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist played in and he praised New Zealand for the magnitude of their triumph.

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Gilchrist has no doubt the demolition will prompt an intensive period of retrospection in India as they ponder what went wrong while readying themselves to rebound on Australian soil.

“It does (have an impact), more for the Indian players and the Indian team internally. They have to be asking themselves pretty hard questions,” Gilchrist told foxsports.com.au.

“I’m not expecting them to come out and be easy beats, but I do think on the back of that loss and the fact that it was a clean sweep — I cannot remember when that’s happened to them, just losing a series, let alone a clean sweep — I think that will raise some questions internally and the pressure and the expectation and the desire from a passionate cricketing nation to see that change around, that’ll ride heavily on those shoulders of all those players.

“There are a few ageing players there who may start to even second guess themselves a little bit. There’s some high class cricketers in that Indian squad. It’s going to be fascinating to see how they rebound from that challenge.”

When assessing the recent series, recently-retired Test opener David Warner said New Zealand set the tone from the start with some magnificent fielding and catching.

Warner, who will feature in the BBL for the Sydney Thunder this summer, said the series demonstrated there was some vulnerability in the Indian batting order.

“That was absolutely remarkable from New Zealand. And congratulations to Tom (Latham) and the guys there,” he said.

“I look back at that first Test that they played and they took some amazing catches and that sets the tone. If you are taking catches like that and you get that upper hand and you lead the series one-nil, it’s big. I know how tough it is to win over there. What they’ve just done is absolutely outstanding, and credit to them.

“And it helps the Australian guys. They’re coming out here after being beaten at home three-nil for five Tests against the Australian boys, (who have) three world class quicks and a world class spin bowler, and I’d be nervous if I’m in they’re batting order. I would be nervous.”

But Warner and former Australian spinner Kerry O’Keeffe are mindful that India has excelled in Australia in recent series and noted they had a host of elite cricketers capable of lifting this summer.

“They have trump cards still, India. That’s why they’re dangerous. (Jasprit) Bumrah and (Rishabh) Pant are absolute trumps. Shubman Gill will develop into outstanding number three. They have the spin if it turns in (Ravindra) Jadeja and (Ravi) Ashwin,” O’Keeffe said.

“But their champions are in the twilight and they’re coming for one more tilt at us, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. That is the key. They are so good, and have been so good, but you don’t want to come to Australia in the twilight. It’s a tough place.”

Warner said the Australian top-order needed to find a way to counter Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, and is mindful sidelined quick Mohammed Shami may yet feature in the series despite not being named in the initial squad.

He said the pride of the Indians will be stung but has no doubt champions including Kohli and Sharma will be determined to deliver another mighty triumph for their nation in Australia.

“The Australian top order … needs to make runs,” Warner said.

“They’ve got Mohammed Shami, who’s currently on the road to recovery with the knee – he potentially could be out here with the team – (and) you have … Bumrah and Siraj who are their spearheads.

“I think if Australia can get through those two gentlemen, there could be some big runs put on the board. But … we’re going to have to come out with our chest out against India. We have lost our last two series here against India (and) they have got a lot to play for.

“They’ve got some older guys in their team. I know the Australian cricket team have got a lot over 30 (as well) but … you have got Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ashwin, Jadeja, you got these guys there who are in the back end of their careers as well, so there’s a lot to play for there as well, and whether or not they finish their careers this year or next year, they will want to finish on a high.

“I know those guys very, very well and they will be so determined to come out here and score big runs.”

O’Keeffe has little doubt the hosts will target senior statesmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who could miss the opening two Tests, in a bid to unsettle the visiting side.

“They have the psyche that might turn that around, but Australia will go hard at them,” he said.

“Rohit Sharma may miss one or two Tests, but he is the captain, and Australia always tries to torpedo the visiting captain. It’s been a tactic they’ve used forever, and I think they’ll go very hard at Rohit Sharma.

“And Kohli, who has worried them over the years, what a stunning player he’s been, but in sport, if you sense that the King of the jungle is slightly weaker, you poke a bit of cheek at him.

“I’m fascinated to see what Virat Kohli ends up with at the end of the summer. It could be the decisive point in the whole summer. If he has an absolutely blazing series, India could win.”