For all the hype surrounding the upcoming India-Australia Test series, Australia stand-in captain Adam Gilchrist's perspective of it is simple: "It's a very big tournament, but it is not the be all and end all of our cricketing careers. We can't concentrate all our life on one event."
Though Gilchrist arrived with some of his teammates in the early hours of Saturday, he showed hardly any signs of fatigue during his first press meet of the India tour later in the afternoon.
"A lot of water has passed under the bridge since our last tour here [India] in 2001. We had a very successful series in Sri Lanka early this year, in conditions very similar to India. I'd also say, going into this series, we have a stronger mindset and are better prepared," he said.
It was Shane Warne who played a vital role in the Sri Lanka series, which the Australians won 3-0, and Gilchrist is confident that the revitalized leg spinner can recreate the magic against India.
"Warne is undoubtedly a huge part of the team. He's been playing a lot of provincial cricket and he is a very competitive guy. Warney is a lot fresher now and he is bowling better than ever," he said.
He shrugged off claims that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is becoming more important than the Ashes, saying though the two teams have developed an interesting rivalry and the contest has grown in identity, it couldn't compare with the England-Australia Test series.
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The Australians have never hidden their ambitions of completing a series triumph in India, and in the absence of skipper Ricky Ponting, Gilchrist may find India one of the most intense of tours to take over at the helm at such a short notice.
"Yeah, it seems just like yesterday when we were playing in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy and its happened all too quickly for me. I haven't really given it a thought.
"Basically, we are just going to play like the way we would if Ricky was leading. I am on a role of a caretaker and don't want to imprint my authority on proceedings. We will play as planned, and I may even consult with Ricky during the Tests," he said.
Coach John Buchanan said he would not want to read too much into the team's performance in the Champions Trophy, where Australia were surprisingly beaten by England in the semi-finals.
"It is essentially a knock-out tournament and such matches have their highs and lows.
"The loss of Ricky Ponting will be a major factor for us, but we have faced these issues before and come out of it," said the genial coach, who is on his second visit to India with the team.
Asked about the difference Sachin Tendulkar's absence will make, Gilchrist replied, "He will probably be missing the first Test, and so will Ricky. So that's two best players from either side out. It pretty much evens out, but no individual performance can override the team effort."
Gilchrist refused to believe that this is Australia's best chance to win a series in India.
"It is the best chance till the next time," he said. "Even last time there was talk that we are going to easily win the series with [Anil] Kumble not there, but it didn't happen," he said.
He appeared a bit irritated when reminded that Australia is an aging team.
"Age is not bothering us," he said, adding, "I remember telling Justin Langer, when we caught up in the morning, that it is exciting to have new faces around. There are a lot of youngsters in this side, and we are aware of our age even if we aren't too bothered about it."
Whatever, Australia will be counting on both age and experience to conquer, what former captain Steve Waugh called, the Final Frontier.
