(Ken Piesse is an Australian cricket writer with more than 35 years' experience covering all forms of the games)

Michael Clarke's misadventures against the short ball will only be temporary and he's likely to be one of Australia's most reliable again this coming Ashes summer, according to ex-teammate Darren Lehmann.

On the eve of Australia's bid for a series-squaring victory at Bangalore, Lehmann said Clarke's consistency over the last two summers, in particular, proves his motivation and ability to adapt.

"People forget that India is one of the hardest places to play fast bowlers as you don't know when to duck (against bouncers). The ball tends not to get up as much as on Australian wickets.

"Clarke is a star. You only have to look at his record, particularly in Tests and one-dayers in the last two years.

"He has worked his game out really well. He has refined his game to such a standard that you are always expecting him to make runs."

Having succumbed to the short ball during the two Tests in England, Clarke again looked uncomfortable against the Indian fast bowlers and was dismissed cheaply in both innings on a generally low bouncing Mohali wicket.

His second innings dismissal against a rearing Ishant Sharma delivery was ungainly deflected through to wicketkeeper M. S. Dhoni and triggered an immediate dressing room lesson from Australia's batting coach Justin Langer.

Lehmann says he's "not concerned at all" by Clarke's problems against the short ball, pointing to his calendar year Test average of 45-plus as undeniable proof that he remains among Australia's foremost players and one of the keys to winning the Ashes.

Asked if the battery of English fast bowlers would target Clarke, in particular, with short bowling, Lehmann said everyone would be peppered.

"They'll bowl a lot of that (bouncers) anyway regardless of who's batting," he said.

"Everyone will get their full quota. The Englishmen like to bowl a lot of bouncers with two back (for the ballooned catch).

"The only problem with that tactic is that the bowlers get tired doing it all the time. Runs become easier later in the day."

Clarke's career average fell to under 50 after his double failure in Mohali. The 29-year-old is the only Australian rated among the top 10 Test batsmen in the world. He is currently in equal eighth position.

Lehmann's last overseas Test tour was Clarke's first. The pair batted together briefly during Clarke's debut century, at Bangalore, venue for the soon to start second Test.