Australia's performance was so sketchy it could see the end of several careers – particularly in the bowling department with Hauritz's failure to produce results in the final two days of the tests a major concern for selectors.
However, history shows Australia has never performed well in India.
In fact, in the 9 series' played between the two countries since 1996 Australia has won only one series in India – in 2004-2005.
As a rule the Australian's have never handled the spin of the sub-continent well and have never been able to take wickets on the batting wickets.
As you can see from this table (courtesy of Wiki) Australia has a less than impressive record against India.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border-Gavaskar_Trophy
The real question to be asked is why Australia is playing two tests on hard, batting pitches in India, when the Ashes series will played on quick, grassy pitches in Australia – hardly an ideal preparation.
This is not the first time Australia has gone into an Ashes Series without the preparation it needs to be at its best on day one.
Clearly the International Cricket Board is making it a habit of failing to give Australia the preparation it needs in the lead up to major 5 match test series'.
Australia shouldn't expect much to change in the near future while the ICC is controlled by the Africa/Asia block.
The first Ashes match kicks off at the 'Gabba in Brisbane on November.