MITCHELL JOHNSON: Border-Gavaskar series could define Steve Smith’s future as he & Virat Kohli under pressure

Months of anticipation, Australia’s dragged-out search for an opener and India’s secret training sessions are over.

The best two Test teams in the world are ready to go at it at Optus Stadium and we should be in for a treat.

For a match-up between two great rivals and some of the game’s biggest stars who are so familiar with each other, this Border-Gavaskar Trophy series seems hard to get a read on.

We know the Indians handle the conditions in Australia well, having won their past two series here, yet they have just been done by New Zealand at home in what should have been favourable conditions.

Both teams contain greats who are now ageing. Will they show they have still got it?

Virat Kohli is 36, Rohit Sharma is 37, Ravichandran Ashwin is 38 and Ravindra Jadeja is 35.

For Australia, Usman Khawaja is 37 and Steve Smith is 35.

There’s been so much focus on Kohli, both on his tremendous record in Australia and his recent struggles in Test cricket.

But Australia’s No.4 in Smith is facing a pivotal series that could dictate how the rest of his career pans out after getting his wish to return to that position after last summer’s opening experiment.

If Smith rediscovers his best against Jasprit Bumrah and co., it should fuel his desire to continue for a while yet. If Smith struggles this summer, the end of one of the great careers could be closer than we think.

It will be great to see the battle against India unfold over five Tests for the first time in more than 30 years.

A five-match series has been a long time coming and I know most current and recently retired players would agree that playing against India has become one of the best series to play in for many reasons. It has become the biggest series outside of the Ashes.

I think the extended format favours the Aussies and might give them the feeling like it’s a home Ashes summer where they have a great record.

I have never been a fan of a two or four-match series for obvious reasons, and I think it’s a fairer system when it’s three or five.

The Perth pitch should suit our bowlers more with the experience they have and if Australia can start with a devastating win at Optus Stadium and go 1-0 up that will put the visitors under a lot of pressure ahead of the day-night Test in Adelaide.

There always seems to be a headline or two in an Australia v India series and there’s the potential for fireworks if the sledging cranks up.

I’m sure the Australian team won’t miss their opponents when it comes to mentioning their last series back home but then the Indians could return fire to some of the Aussies recently dumped by their Indian Premier League franchises.

The first Test match of the summer is always an exciting time. For the players, there’s nerves of the unknown but it’s such a great feeling knowing you are about to take on one of the best teams in the world.

Everyone feels that anticipation in their own way. We all get nervous, it’s how you use those nerves out in the middle. You don’t want to waste that energy thinking about what ifs before the series starts. Once you’re in the middle, it’s time to get to work.

Australia’s debutant opener Nathan McSweeney will most likely suffer some nerves, particularly the night before the match. My advice would just be to try to soak it all up.

Day one might be a bit of a blur but just try to go out there and play your game the way you have been. That’s what got you there and why you were selected.

The first hour can set up a series sometimes but I also found that the back end of a day’s play can be very important not to undo all the good work that’s been done through the day. It’s the time when you’re most tired and you need to be on your game.

Patience will be key. That means big batting partnerships up the top and the bowlers sticking with clear plans along with the fielders taking their catches and creating chances.