Chances even, says Ganguly

"The Australians are on a winning streak, but it is going to be a different ball game in the coming series as both teams have an even chance of winning the series," a confident India captain Sourav Ganguly told reporters on Thursday, after the second day's training session at the conditioning camp in Madras.

Though the Aussies are riding high following thumping victories over the West Indies and Pakistan, he felt playing in India would be a different cup of tea for them.

"It is true they are on a high for the last 12 months winning 15 Tests in a row, but it's going to be a different ball game when they come here. We have also been playing well for the last six months with these young boys.

"We are going to play according to our strengths. Test or one-day cricket is more of a mind game than anything else. It is going to be a good series," he said.

Asked if the series will be mentally-demanding, Ganguly replied: "The Australians have won 11 games at home, beating the West Indies squarely, defeating India and Pakistan. They also won against Zimbabwe and New Zealand on away tours, but when they toured here in 1996 and 1998, they had lost the series. And this is going to be at the back of their minds."

On the absence of Anil Kumble, he said, "None can fill the gap that has been created due to his injury. He has taken 600 international wickets and you cannot have a Kumble overnight. We will miss him but we have got some youngsters who could be moulded for the future. We are yet to decide who is good among these youngsters."

Talking about paceman Brett Lee's absence from the Australian team, Ganguly said: "We are not bothered about who is in the Australian team. We are all here to be together and work hard to prepare ourselves for winning matches."

He dismissed Australian captain Steve Waugh's alleged allegation that the Indian cricket management had asked for "turning wickets" saying, "We have not given any instructions regarding this to any curator. The fact is that I will know the type of wicket that is going to be given to us only after playing on it."

He explained that he had not read the Australian skipper's remarks but went on to ask how he could make such comments.

On India's tradition of banking on spinners and whether he would depend on pace, Ganguly reiterated that India should play to its strength.

"Let us see, how the boys shape up at the end of the camp and whether they are in good form. It is too early to come out with predictions as we have almost three more weeks for the first Test to start in Mumbai (February 27 to March 3)," he said.

He refrained from comparing coach John Wright with previous coaches, and the ongoing camp with earlier ones.

"He (Wright) has been with us for the last two months, and I cannot pass any judgement on camps as I am here only for the last 24 hours. It is a long way to go. Neither of us can pass judgment on either of us at this early stage," he said.

Mail Cricket Editor