South Africa cricket captain Graeme Smith says he is not "unduly bothered" about the recent resurgence of the Indian team, which completed a 6-1 rout of Sri Lanka in the one-day international series on Saturday.
"The Indians have played well against the Sri Lankans. But our job is to adapt to the conditions here [India]. We are a very confident team at the moment," Smith told reporters on arrival in Mumbai on Saturday morning.
Stating that India is a "predictable" side, he said "the Indian team seems to stick to pretty much the same combination in big games".
The South Africans arrived from Johannesburg, accompanied by a 10-member management staff. They will play five ODIs, the first in Hyderabad on November 16.
Smith's confidence emanates from the fact that his team has won 19 one-dayers in a row.
Asked if by November 29, the figure would read as 24 unbeaten wins, he replied, "I would love to see that happen.
"We are looking forward to the series. There are good crowds and we have good vibes."
Would facing the Indian spinners be a problem?
"That's the challenge; it is like you coming to South Africa and saying fast bowlers are a problem. It (Indian spinners) is something we have discussed. We have got players who can handle them."
Smith said his assessment of the Indian team has changed since the last time the two sides played.
"The Indian side now has a bunch of talented youngsters. Sachin is also back."
Asked if the South African team would miss veterans like Herschelle Gibbs and Nicky Boje, who pulled out of the tour apprehending arrest in connection with charges relating to match-fixing episode, Smith said, "We will miss the two key players. But we will just adapt to the situation. We have got some young players in the team."
On his team's winning run, he said not all of those 19 straight wins were achieved at home.
"Five of them were on Caribbean pitches.
"We have got a number of combinations... I think the Indians are not sure which way we are going with the team. The Indians seem to stick to pretty much the same combination in big games.
"We see our India visit as a massive opportunity. We have come here on the back of a good run."
Asked about the "secret" behind his team's winning ways, coach Mickey Arthur said, "We've got something good going. We will keep it up till the 2007 World Cup and beyond. I've got a strategy and a plan."
When his attention was drawn to the fact that the South African team has had three coaches since the last World Cup, Arthur said, "That's a tough one to ask... the team has taken the development in its stride."
