India captain Sourav Ganguly says India will win the One-Day International and Test series in Pakistan as the hosts will be under the pressure of playing at home.
"We will change all that," Ganguly told reporters when reminded that India have not won a Test on Pakistan soil.
He said it is a good sign that his team is going to Pakistan as favourites and there will be no added pressure to perform.
"International cricket is all about pressure whether you are playing Australia or Pakistan," he said.
Ganguly said Pakistan's bowling spearhead Shoaib Akhtar would also feel the pressure of leading the attack.
"He is a good bowler. He has the pace but leading the Pakistan attack would be a different ball game."
He there's nothing to be alarmed about Sachin Tendulkar's stiff back.
"He only has a stiff back; it is just like having a stiff neck. It is not an injury," Ganguly said.
He said leg spinner Anil Kumble's absence in the one-dayers would be felt but it is also a good opportunity for the other players to prove their worth.
Coach John Wright said India has a great chance to record history in Pakistan.
"The team has started to come together as a real force in recent times. Playing away from home is also an advantage as the pressure would be on the home team," Wright said.
The coach said the brief preparatory camp was useful and the team is now looking to take up the challenge of touring Pakistan.
"All the boys are looking forward to the tour. We have got nothing to lose and everything to gain from this series."
Wright also promised to play "good, hard cricket" in Pakistan.
"We have not played the last few one-dayers well but we have struggled only against Australia. We want to maintain the consistency."
On the importance of the Indian team's first full-fledged tour of Pakistan in 15 years, Ganguly said although the team always goes as an ambassador of the country whether to South Africa or Australia, Pakistan is "of course a bit different."
"It is a big series because a tour of Pakistan is looked at differently."
Ganguly expressed satisfaction with the three-day conditioning camp in Kolkata saying it was basically meant to be a get-together of the players before a big series following a four-week break.
The Indian captain said the Pakistan tour is a very good opportunity for bowlers like Murali Karthik and Ramesh Powar to prove themselves.
"But it is also a challenge for me how to handle them," he added.
Asked whether the Indian attack would be weakened due to the absence of Anil Kumble and Harbahjan Singh, he replied: "It depends on how you look at the strengths and weaknesses. If you think sheer pace is the strength then we are behind; but if you think it is important to contain batsmen and win, then that is our strength."
Wright said the players realise well the importance of winning in Pakistan.
"The Indian players know that they are one step away from history if they a win a series in Pakistan," he said.
"The Indians have been playing good cricket recently. We have now become the second best team in the limited version of the game. We hope to play well in Pakistan."
