Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli (PTI/AP)

Former Indian skipper and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has issued an ultimatum to Virat Kohli, head coach Ravi Shastri and the support staff if the Indian team fails to bounce back in the ongoing four-match Test series against Australia. India, the number one ranked side, was touted as the favourite against the Australian side considered depleted without the presence of Steve Smith and David Warner. However, after scripting a memorable Adelaide win in the opener, their momentum was jolted with a heavy 146-run defeat on the 'average' rated Perth pitch. The series now stands 1-1 after the first two matches.

Gavaskar reckons that Kohli, Shastri and the Indian support staff should be held accountable if the team fails to win the remaining two matches of the series - in Melbourne and in Sydney, respectively. The former cricketer also criticised the Indian team management for all the mistakes they made since Champions Trophy final in June 2017.

"We will know that [the difference between Kohli as captain and batsman] as we go forward. The Australia series is a good opportunity. If India don't win the Test series, then we need to think what needs to change, change from the top. If we win, then it's a different case, altogether," Gavaskar said at Agenda Aaj Tak in New Delhi.

"Because of the decision to field first in the Champions Trophy final, the omissions and selections in South Africa, the omissions and selections in England, and the selections and omissions in Australia. Someone has to take responsibility for all these decisions. Someone has to be held accountable," he added.

Selection for a particular Test match has always come under the scanner since the start of 2018. In South Africa, Kohli was heavily criticised over preferring Rohit Sharma to Ajinkya Rahane in the middle-order. The selection was once again an issue in the England series as well. And amid these criticisms came raging words against the Indian team management over lack of practice matches in both the Test series. Gavaskar feels that India can pull off a comeback and win the contest if they manage to find the right combination.

"They have to look at the combination of their team, look at the hole that needs to be plugged and pick the men to. If they do that then they can certainly win the next two matches but if they don't, and that too against this Australian team which does not have Steve Smith or David Warner, then the selectors need to think whether we are getting any benefit from this lot - the captain, coach and support staff," Gavaskar said.

"We have been seeing this - the selection blunders that have been committed since the tour of South Africa. It has cost the team because it has lost matches which could've been won if the proper selection had been made," he added.

Ahead of the third Test, slated to be played in Melbourne on the Boxing Day, India are once again down with a selection conundrum for the opener's slot. While many are backing Mayank Agarwal to make his debut at the MCG as an opener, the debate has risen over his partner. Few of the options include - Murali Vijay, Hanuma Vihari and Rohit Sharma.