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Nathan Lyon and Travis Head are among Australia's Test stars backing Nathan McSweeney to thrive during the five-match series against India.

Test newcomer Nathan McSweeney is taking the barrage of criticism levelled at him in his stride, declaring he's batting as well as ever and is ready to face the might of India.

The selection of McSweeney to open for the first Test in Perth has divided opinion, with former Test opener Ed Cowan among the most vocal critics.

Cowan said McSweeney, who has never opened in Sheffield Shield cricket, doesn't yet possess the technique or temperament to open at Test level.

Others agree, saying McSweeney is being set up for failure due to his lack of experience at the very top of the order.

McSweeney, who normally bats at No.3 for South Australia, has heard the criticism, but he's not letting it affect him.

"Everyone's got to have their opinion," McSweeney said in Perth on Monday afternoon. 

"I try and not read too much into it. And you know, I've got the guys in my corner that I really trust and value their opinion.

"For me, I know what works, and I feel very capable to go and do the job.

"I'm batting the best I ever have, I feel. So hopefully I can go out there and execute that on Friday."

Star spinner Nathan Lyon had a simple assessment of the criticism.

"There's that many media outlets now, people have to make names (for themselves) to stay relevant, don't they?" he said with a cheeky smile.

"(McSweeney is) nothing but exceptional in my eyes. 

"I saw him up close and personal in that Shield game a couple of weeks ago, and we had to run him out to get him out.

"His tempo was nice, his timing of his movements were in sync."

McSweeney started life as a Test cricketer by facing Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Lyon at the WACA Ground on Monday morning.

He looked uncomfortable at times during the session, and has just three more days to get his eye in before the blockbuster five-Test series begins.

"It was good challenge. I got through it unscathed," McSweeney said.

"I didn't put much pressure on them, but they bowled really well. It's great preparation to face those guys who are world class bowlers."

Travis Head has told McSweeney to enjoy the build-up to his first Test and to play his own game.

"All that stuff is never going to guarantee he goes out and gets heaps of runs in the first couple of Tests," Head said. 

"We hope he does, and I think his game's set up to do that, but anyone starting in their career, it's going to take time.

"They're going to go through ups and downs, and he'll have the support within the change rooms."

McSweeney made 39, 88 not out, 14 and 25 in his four innings against India A and scored 55, 127no, 37 and 72 to start the Sheffield Shield season, as well as 137 in a domestic one-dayer.

But whether the 25-year-old can translate his hot domestic form into the Test arena remains a key question, especially in an unfamiliar opening position.

Another player who will be under the microscope this series is India superstar Virat Kohli.

The 36-year-old averaged just 15.5 during the shock 3-0 Test series defeat to NZ in India last month, and the heat is on him to bounce back from his form slump.

India captain Rohit Sharma, who is still in Mumbai after he and his wife welcomed their second child on Friday, is set to miss the series opener.

Rising star Shubman Gill is also set to miss the first Test after reportedly breaking his thumb during a WACA practice session over the weekend.