ONE LAST SHOT AT THE AUSSIES WITH SACHIN

You spend months wanting this one article, saving up for it. All the while you keep gazing at it through the shop window on your way home. On some days you feel bold, and enter the store with whatever money you have. Sometimes the shopkeeper ridicules you, on other days he respects your spirit, pats your back and asks you to try another time. On a few occasions, you get into ugly arguments, you even find out the guy has brought the price down for you but you still can't afford it. You go back depressed every time, but make sure you hide that product behind others so that nobody else buys it.

Before giving up you decide to make one final bid. You think you have enough money this time. But while walking to the store looking confident, you see that other people have already bought the product. Your dream article, one you believe should have been yours first, is now not unique. Then you realise there is an end-of-the-year discount sign outside the store. Do you still want it, you ask yourself. Yes, you say before going ahead tentatively. But what if you still don't have enough money despite this big discount? Will that not break you?

It is hard to say if sportspeople think that way; whether they contemplate success and failure thus before embarking on a journey; if Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman had any such thoughts at all before they boarded the plane to Australia. This is their final trip to the country they have spent their lifetimes believing (and learning the hard way) is the toughest place to win Test matches. Let's leave a small window for exceptions and not say it is their final tour. India's next full tour to Australia is in December 2014, which makes it hard to imagine any of the three playing Tests here again; at least not all of them together.

This is the fifth Test trip to Australia for Tendulkar, and the fourth for both Dravid and Laxman. Australia is a special, bittersweet place for them. They have played innings here that earned them the respect of the world. This is a challenge they have cherished. This is a place they have been desperate to win in all their lives. Laxman grew up watching the early morning telecast from Australia, listening to Bill Lawry and Richie Benaud. Dravid possesses all that was and is right about Australian cricket. Tendulkar has scored stirring centuries on each of his trips here.

Tendulkar's class was established beyond doubt when, at 18, he scored that century on a cracking WACA track. Laxman saved his career here, and has gone on to play so well in Australian surroundings that he is one of the most loved foreign players in the country. He has scored three centuries in three Tests at the SCG, making the same Lawry and Benaud speak superlatively of him. One of Dravid's more emotional moments in public came in Australia, when he square-cut the winning runs at the Adelaide Oval in 2003-04 and kissed the crest on his India cap, after he had scored a double-century in the first innings. It was India's first Test win in Australia since 1980-81.

There have been countless disappointments. All their glorious efforts have translated into only two Test wins here; England won three in just one series. There is a picture of Tendulkar that tells a story. Acknowledging the applause after his century at the MCG in 1999-2000, he is alone among the many seagulls in the frame, alone against the Australians during that whitewash. There have been two Sydney heartbreaks. Once when they didn't enforce the follow-on, and couldn't conjure enough with the ball on the final day. Once when, despite all that went around them, they had no business getting bowled out in two sessions and a bit on the final day.

	There's something about Australia that brings out the best in VVS Laxman © Getty Images Enlarge

A trip to Australia, one final shot at an elusive series win here, has to be part of what has kept them going at their age. Should it happen, it will be a big win, despite Australia being at their most mortal in two decades, and despite their record of no wins against India in their previous eight Tests. A lot of this series will be about the trio - just keep in mind the kind of reception they got last time, when people might have thought it was their last visit here - but it is about others too.

MS Dhoni has had his unbeaten run as captain rudely interrupted recently. Zaheer Khan, despite the matchwinner he has been, has not completed India's previous three overseas tours. Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir haven't scored a Test century this year. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are trying to shake the image of being brash frontrunners. Ishant Sharma has had a long build-up to the series with speculation over his fitness and questions over his decision to delay the surgery on his ankle. Umesh Yadav will want to be what Ishant was here four years ago, a promising young quick who announced himself with a superb spell against the best, a spell good enough for Ricky Ponting to describe in meticulous detail in his book. R Ashwin is going to play his first away Test in what has been a graveyard for finger spinners since they started covering the pitches.

As much as this could be the big three's last overseas tour, this is India's last away Test series for two years. Failure will leave them bitterly disappointed because playing at home has not been such a big concern recently. This time last year, India were working hard to come back from an innings defeat in South Africa. That loss in Centurion was a swift blow to the then No. 1 Test side, a blow they recovered from. This year they are trying to come back from the hammering in England. These wounds take longer to heal, but an Australia summer is not a bad place to start.

BCCI OPPOSES USE OF UDRS IN THE INDIA vs AUSTRALIA SERIES

bcci has called for consistency on the ICC's Decision Review System (DRS) after the BCCI refused to allow its use in the upcoming Test series in Australia. Earlier this year, the ICC made the use of the DRS mandatory in Tests and ODIs, but three months later reversed its decision and went back to the rule that the boards of both countries must agree for it to be used in a series.

The Indian board's strong opposition to the DRS meant the four-Test series, which begins in Melbourne on Boxing Day, was never likely to feature umpire reviews. It will be Australia's first Test series played without referrals since Ricky Ponting's men toured India last October, and Clarke said while he was neutral on the system, consistency was required.

"I'm not bothered either way," Clarke said. "I'd just like to see a broader decision made for every team. I would like to see it either in Test cricket and one-day cricket or in one or the other, or not used at all. I find it a little bit inconsistent if we're having it in one series and not having it in the other. I don't mind what the decision is; I'd just like to see it consistent the whole time."

As a result of the BCCI's stance, all decisions in this series will remain in the hands of the on-field umpires, Marais Erasmus and Ian Gould for the first two Tests, and Aleem Dar and Kumar Dharmasena for the final two matches. However, Channel Nine's coverage will still feature technology such as Eagle Eye and Hot Spot for the viewers at home.

That has the potential to create further drama; obvious umpiring errors will be visible to TV viewers, players in the change rooms and media at the ground, but not to the players and officials on field. Channel Nine's executive producer of sport, Brad McNamara, said he could not understand the BCCI's objections to the DRS.

"We put a lot of time, effort and money into making it as accurate as possible," McNamara told the Sydney Morning Herald. "We are fairly certain we are using the best technology available. If India get a couple of rough ones through the summer, they might all of a sudden become a fan of the DRS. It is a bit confusing."

However, Clarke said it would not be too difficult to adjust back to playing under the old conditions. He said his players would be happy to take the umpire's decision, despite having become accustomed to being allowed to ask for a review over the past couple of years.

"We've only had DRS for a few years so it's no different to how it's been throughout my whole career," Clarke said. "At the end of the day, the umpires will do their best to make the right decision. Like us players, I'd love to make a hundred every time I walk out on to the field but it doesn't happen, we make mistakes, we make errors.

"The positive thing is it's going to be consistent for both teams throughout the series. I think that's a real positive thing. Both teams will live with whatever decisions are made throughout the series."

THE PITCH FOR THE BOXING DAY TEST !!!!!

IS IT THE PITCH OR THE OUTFIELD !!! DIFFERENTIATE

Very Very Special Laxman's Special Interview

Is Australia still the place to win in for you? For you and Rahul and Sachin…
Oh, absolutely. That's one place where any cricketer would love to do well and win the series for the team. I have always felt that Australia in Australia are very formidable. For the simple reason that they know their conditions quite well, and their brand of cricket is aggressive. The nature of the wickets assists them to play aggressively. Always it's a huge challenge playing Australia in Australia. Really looking forward to doing well again this year, and also hopefully realise our dream of winning the series there.

Is the charm in any way lessened because their team has now become weaker?
Actually they have got a very good side. You cannot compare them to the likes of, say, Steve Waugh or [Adam] Gilchrist or Shane Warne or the other legends, but their batting line-up hasn't really changed. They have still got four batsmen who have been playing for such a long time. You have got Shane Watson, Mike Hussey, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke. They have always been there for the last two-three years. Ponting is the greatest Australian batsman, probably, after Bradman.

Yeah, their bowling [has changed]. Except for Mitchell Johnson, all the other bowlers are quite new. Saying that, they have done well, especially in the last Test against South Africa. And beating South Africa in South Africa is obviously a huge achievement. It's very important to not underestimate anyone.

Also, not too much emphasis should be given [to the] opposition. We think what we are capable of doing. We have to focus to do the right things as far as we are concerned.

Mentally, do you think you might have an edge? Of the last eight Tests against Australia, you have won five and drawn three.
Obviously whenever you do well against a particular opponent, you go with that kind of confidence. Definitely you are high on confidence. Saying that, it's very important to start afresh. Assess the situation and conditions and play accordingly. Not thinking too much about what happened in the past. And not thinking too far ahead. It is important to do well in that particular moment.

Personally, what's special about playing in Australia?
I have always enjoyed watching cricket in Australia. Right from my younger days, I used to get up early in the morning... I don't know why, but something used to excite me [about] watching cricket in Australia. Also, listening to the legends like Richie Benaud, Bill Lawry, Ian Chappell - you could gather a lot. I always felt great watching cricket in Australia. And also felt really good that my first Test hundred came in Australia. I always relished playing in those conditions. They are great wickets to bat on. Obviously, great atmosphere around, because so many people come and watch Tests and are so supportive of good quality cricket, irrespective of which team is doing well. It's a great place to tour, and I have had really good experiences touring Australia.

People considered Australia to be the toughest place to tour until recently. You found it the opposite.
No, it's definitely tough. I am not saying that it is not challenging. It is definitely a very challenging place to play cricket. Saying that, I, and I am sure the entire team, relish the challenge. And that's why when we play against Australia, our game goes a level ahead, probably.

What are the challenges as a batsman and as a team to go and win in Australia?
It's quite different to what we have grown up on. The bounce is a huge difference. There's lot of bounce compared to the wickets in India, and also pace off the wicket. They are much quicker than what you get in India. Those two are very important for us to assess and adjust to as soon as possible. Obviously the new ball will be a key factor. Unlike in India, the new ball will be a very important period. As a bowling side you would like to get wickets and make it count. As a batting side you would want to see the shine off and then play a lot more shots. So I think the new ball will be the key there.

	"I don't like to rate innings, but the Adelaide one was very special, because from the situation we were in we went on to win the Test match there. Any hundred in Australian conditions is satisfying, but the situation we were in, and having a partnership with Rahul [Dravid], it was very satisfying"

How are you preparing for the tour?
Personally, because of the past experiences you know if you do certain kind of drills it will help you get used to the bounce. Luckily for us, we [players not part of the ODI side] are going early this time, so we will get a lot of time and opportunity to get acclimatised to those conditions. I firmly believe that how much ever simulation you do in India, it's always important to get to Australia and get used to the conditions. The net practices and training sessions will be very critical for us to get used to the conditions as early as possible.

How did you prepare on your previous tours?
Similar drills. Nowadays, because you are playing so much cricket, you end up playing a series and immediately go to Australia. I remember the last time we played against Pakistan and then we went there. Now there is a slight gap for those who are not part of the one-day squad. I think it is very important that you get used to the conditions once you land in Australia and make those two practice games count.

Why do you do so well against Australia?
It is strange that right from my Under-19 days I have done well against the Australians. Probably their aggressive nature gets the best out of me. From the wickets point of view, I have always enjoyed batting there because I like wickets with a lot of bounce and pace. I like the ball to come on to the bat much more than you get in Indian conditions. I have always enjoyed batting in Australia. It's very important to settle down. Once you get in, you can play a lot more shots than you can play in India.

Are you thinking about the bowlers you are going to face?
I watched, especially when they played the last Test against South Africa. I watched their bowlers, but it will be a new challenge. Except for Mitchell Johnson, I have not faced the other bowlers. It will be something I am really looking forward to.

What do you make of Pat Cummins?
Not only Pat Cummins, but also Ryan Harris has done well for them, [Peter] Siddle has done well for them. Cummins is young and promising. He is quite quick and obviously he is quite raw, so he will bring a lot of energy. Mitchell Johnson has been there for some time. Even Nathan Lyon is quite a decent spinner. So they have got quite a good bowling line-up. I still feel they are a formidable team.

Roughly from 2007 onwards your career has found another level. From about 42 your average is now nudging 48. What has happened?
I have really enjoyed my cricket from 2007 onwards, especially from the time Anil [Kumble] became captain, and then Gary [Kirsten] and MS [Dhoni] took over. I have really enjoyed it. The dressing-room atmosphere has been great. That helps me to go out and play with a free mind. A lot of credit has to be given to Gary and Dhoni for the way they have handled the team.

	"I have always felt that Australia in Australia are very formidable. For the simple reason that they know their conditions quite well, and their brand of cricket is aggressive"© Getty Images Enlarge

You have scored seven centuries in this period, but you must have missed another seven.
Absolutely. That has been one regret. I keep missing hundreds. (laughs)

For me the satisfying thing is, I have played some important match-winning knocks for my country irrespective of whether I got a hundred or a seventy or an eighty. As long as that knock helps the team out of a tough situation, it gives me a lot of satisfaction. Saying that, I would have loved to have scored more hundreds than I have.

This rise has also coincided with the trouble with your back. How do you manage it?
The last year was very bad. Especially during the Sri Lanka Test and after that. Because I continued batting with the back spasms, it probably aggravated. Luckily the physio and trainer managed me and got me through the season, and I played till South Africa. After the South Africa series I have been working really hard. A lot of credit should go to our physio, Ashish, and Sudarshan from the NCA. They worked hard on my back and had a very good schedule planned for me. That's paying rich dividends. If you see, I am back fielding at silly point and backward short leg, which I was not able to do because of the back. I am quite happy with the progress and the way the back has held up till now.

How much work does it need on a daily basis?
It is not generally focusing now on the back. I have got over that now. What is important is to maintain my overall fitness, and I feel I am much fitter, much stronger than I was probably three years back. These two guys really helped me, and their programme was very good. It helped me become stronger and better conditioned. Now I am concentrating not just on the back but overall body.

You played two of your best innings when the back pain was at its worst. How?
(Laughs) They were important knocks for the country. Once you are there, you don't concentrate too much on your body or your pain. Your focus shifts to the task at hand. It is something which is very important for me. You forget about the pain and just do well.

Was last year one of the most satisfactory ones of your career?
Definitely. The kind of knocks I played in the situation… Apart from Durban, Mohali and P Sara, I thought the one in Ahmedabad was very critical. Against New Zealand. I got 91, and had a partnership with Bhajji [Harbhajan Singh]. He ended up getting a hundred. We were struggling at 15 for 5, and it would have been very embarrassing if we didn't have that partnership. I am very happy and contented with the last year, that I have played some important knocks for the team.

In Ahmedabad you were given lbw off an inside edge…
(Laughs) Yeah, it is disappointing I keep missing hundreds for various reasons. Even in Durban I was 96, batting with the last batsman, and got out. You get disappointed when you know you are batting well and keep missing the three-figure mark.

Any thoughts of retirement as of now?
No, none at all. As I mentioned, I am feeling good from the body point of view and also from the motivation point of view. It was never a problem for me. Every day I still get up with the same kind of enthusiasm that I had probably at the start of my career. I take a lot of honour in representing the country, and I feel it is a great privilege to get an opportunity to do something for the country. I am still enjoying the game and still performing consistently. I am not thinking along those lines. At the moment I am concentrating on doing well in Australia and don't have any other thoughts in my mind.

	"I keep missing hundreds. For me the satisfying thing is, I have played some important match-winning knocks for my country, irrespective of whether I got a hundred or a seventy or an eighty. As long as that knock helps them team out of a tough situation, it gives me a lot of satisfaction"

Has the thought ever come up in the past?
Never. Since 2007 I have been performing consistently, and I never think too far ahead. If I am doing well, if I am preparing well for every match, and feel I am contributing to the team, I don't think about other things.

There must have been disappointments even in this period…
There have been lots of disappointments. For example, that last innings in Bombay. That's a situation I would love, to actually win the game for the team, but I got out when I was settling well, and I had had a good partnership with Virat [Kohli], and I got out at 32. That kind of innings disappoints me. That kind of opportunity I always like to seize and do well for the team.

England also must have been a big disappointment because you got starts there.
England was a huge disappointment, obviously for the team, and for me, because I got the starts. Except for the last Test, I thought I batted really well in all the three Tests, and I was dominating the attack when I lost my wicket. It was a little disappointing to not convert the starts. If I had done that then I would have contributed much better to the team. It was a tough tour for the entire team for various reasons. And I am sure that we have learned from that experience and hopefully we will improve.

I remember only two kinds of dismissals. Either those unplayable deliveries from James Anderson or the pull.
It was a mixture. Throwing away… not throwing away exactly, but not executing the pull shot properly. Also, I thought I got some real good deliveries, especially from Anderson, and from [Stuart] Broad in the first inningsat The Oval. At the international level you are expected to counter those deliveries. Overall, I was disappointed with my performance, especially when the team was in the types of situations I relish and do well in. I was not able to use those opportunities.

Do you need to cut out or look again at the pull, especially going to Australia, with the bounce there?
It depends on your gameplan at that particular moment. Against what kind of bowlers you are playing the shot. You can't generalise the gameplan. It depends on the bounce on the wicket, and the way the bowlers are bowling. Accordingly, you play. I have always been a firm believer that it's about poor execution. It's not necessary that you have to cut down on a shot that has got you out. It's about how you choose to play the shot that is important.

Among the many fond memories in Australia, which one is most special?
I don't like to rate innings in comparison with others, but the Adelaide one was very special because from the situation we were in we went on to win the Test match there. Any hundred in Australian conditions is satisfying, but the situation we were in, and having a partnership with Rahul [Dravid], it was very satisfying.

How do you rate India's chances on this tour?
I think we have got a very good chance, but as I mentioned it is very important to concentrate to the process and do the right things more often than the Australians do. If we can do that, and play to our potential, we have got a very good chance. I am not one to think too much of the result now.

So you probably don't want to think about the fact that this might the best, and probably last, chance for you three to win a series in Australia?
I think every tour we go to, we think we have got a chance to win the series. It is not that just depending on the strength and weakness of the opposition we feel confident we can win the series. It's been a great experience in Australia, and I have always enjoyed playing against Australia and in Australia, so hopefully I will make it count this time as well.

CHILDHOOD PHOTOS OF CRICKETERS

 GUESS WHO ITS RICKY POINTING

THE PICS OF THE MASTER SACHIN TENDULKAR AND VINOD KAMBLI

THE MAN WHO BROKE THE WORLD RECORD VIRENDER SEWAGH

ITS THE MASTER SACHIN TENDULKAR

CHENNAI SUPER KING RAINA

WORLD CUP CHAMPION YUVRAJ SINGH

M.S.DHONI'S LATEST INTERVIEW ON AUSTRALIA TOUR

 the India captain, has said how his team utilise their time in Australia in the lead-up to the first Test will determine the outcome of the series. "It depends on how we prepare ourselves during the 12 days before the Test match and how we adapt to the conditions," Dhoni said. "Most of the batsmen have played there before. We are hoping we will do well there."

India have been poor starters overseas of late and have lost the first Test of the series on their previous trips to Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and England. But Duncan Fletcher, the India coach, said an early arrival in Australia for some of his players coupled with two warm-up games should be sufficient for the team to acclimatise to conditions. "You hope that they do adapt during that period of time. Probably it is enough," Fletcher said in Chennai ahead of the team's departure to Australia.

Australia have struggled recently, but Dhoni said this was not necessarily India's best chance to win a Test series in Australia, and that he would rather work on his side's strengths and weaknesses than concentrate on the opposition's form. "Even last time [in 2007-08] we had a very good chance and we did really perform well. It is not that if the opposition is not doing well it will be a best chance for us. We have to play to the level of the kind of talent that we have got and not worry about such things. We are more concerned about what we need to work on and are not too worried about what kind of opposition we are playing.

"Some people think that the last Australian team was much better than the current Australian side. Some of the present players were not part of the 2008 side. To judge them is quite a difficult task. Anil Kumble was part of our side [then]. The spinners coming into the team now are not as experienced as Anil. It applies to the Australian team also. They had big players like Adam Gilchrist and others.

"[Because they are] missing big names in the present setup, some people think that this is our best chance. But we did well that time also and quite a few things happened in the series. Most of you watched that. We will try to keep such things away. We are a good side and we need to do well on the field."

Fletcher agreed with Dhoni about the need for India to focus on their own game but added that Australia had some good players who were currently out of form and India would do well to keep things that way.

Zaheer Khan, who is returning after a long injury lay-off, will be crucial if India are to put pressure on the Australia line-up and Fletcher said that he did not want to rush his premier fast bowler back. "From the reports that I get, Zaheer had come to Mumbai and bowled in the nets there and he looked impressive. I think it is very important to be careful; he looked to be in very good condition even when he came to England.

"He has got through two games [in the Ranji Trophy, for Mumbai]. It will be ideal preparation for him. We do not want to rush him back too quickly. The one three-day game there will be important for him before the first Test."

Fletcher was also upbeat about Ishant Sharma, who was among the players who departed early for Australia. "He has had a nice rest. He was totally free from injury when he finished the Test match in Mumbai [against West Indies]. He has gone out there fresh. It is important that they have little breaks between series. Everything that we have heard so far is that they are ready to go."

Though seamers Praveen Kumar and Varun Aaron will be missing the tour due to injury, Dhoni was optimistic about the chances of his bowling attack. "If you see the injury list, it is quite blank as of now. More often than not, [of the] the 15 or 16 who are selected [in the squad] everybody will be ready for selection [in the XI]. That takes a bit of pressure off and you need not worry about the playing XI that much as most of the players get their berths on merit.

"Apart from that, the batting line-up is quite the same. Bowling-wise, Zaheer is back. We have got Umesh Yadav who can bowl over 140kph. I think it looks like a good pack."

Dhoni said he was not worried about the fact that only two of his bowlers had played more than 15 Tests as it was more important to have in-form bowlers than experienced ones.

"R Ashwin has just made his debut in the series against West Indies while Harbhajan Singh has played in 98 Test matches and is one of the leading wicket-takers for India," Dhoni said. "Nobody knew what Ashwin can do. But he ended up winning the Man-of-the-Series in the Tests. This is something that Duncan said that we have to be careful about. Just because the big names are not there, it does not mean the bowling attack is weak. Even when Shane Warne or Glenn McGrath made their debut they started from zero wickets. You may be having a [potentially] great bowler, who may be just starting his career and playing the first few games."

© ESPN EMEA Ltd.

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THE RIVALRY CONTINUES......

  The India captain, has said how his team utilise their time in Australia in the lead-up to the first Test will determine the outcome of the series. "It depends on how we prepare ourselves during the 12 days before the Test match and how we adapt to the conditions," Dhoni said. "Most of the batsmen have played there before. We are hoping we will do well there."

India have been poor starters overseas of late and have lost the first Test of the series on their previous trips to Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka and England. But  the India coach, said an early arrival in Australia for some of his players coupled with two warm-up games should be sufficient for the team to acclimatise to conditions. "You hope that they do adapt during that period of time. Probably it is enough," Fletcher said in Chennai ahead of the team's departure to Australia.

Australia have struggled recently, but Dhoni said this was not necessarily India's best chance to win a Test series in Australia, and that he would rather work on his side's strengths and weaknesses than concentrate on the opposition's form. "Even last time [in 2007-08] we had a very good chance and we did really perform well. It is not that if the opposition is not doing well it will be a best chance for us. We have to play to the level of the kind of talent that we have got and not worry about such things. We are more concerned about what we need to work on and are not too worried about what kind of opposition we are playing.

"Some people think that the last Australian team was much better than the current Australian side. Some of the present players were not part of the 2008 side. To judge them is quite a difficult task. Anil Kumble was part of our side [then]. The spinners coming into the team now are not as experienced as Anil. It applies to the Australian team also. They had big players like Adam Gilchrist and others.

"[Because they are] missing big names in the present setup, some people think that this is our best chance. But we did well that time also and quite a few things happened in the series. Most of you watched that. We will try to keep such things away. We are a good side and we need to do well on the field."

Fletcher agreed with Dhoni about the need for India to focus on their own game but added that Australia had some good players who were currently out of form and India would do well to keep things that way.

Zaheer Khan, who is returning after a long injury lay-off, will be crucial if India are to put pressure on the Australia line-up and Fletcher said that he did not want to rush his premier fast bowler back. "From the reports that I get, Zaheer had come to Mumbai and bowled in the nets there and he looked impressive. I think it is very important to be careful; he looked to be in very good condition even when he came to England.

"He has got through two games [in the Ranji Trophy, for Mumbai]. It will be ideal preparation for him. We do not want to rush him back too quickly. The one three-day game there will be important for him before the first Test."

Fletcher was also upbeat about Ishant Sharma, who was among the players who departed early for Australia. "He has had a nice rest. He was totally free from injury when he finished the Test match in Mumbai [against West Indies]. He has gone out there fresh. It is important that they have little breaks between series. Everything that we have heard so far is that they are ready to go."

Though seamers Praveen Kumar and Varun Aaron will be missing the tour due to injury, Dhoni was optimistic about the chances of his bowling attack. "If you see the injury list, it is quite blank as of now. More often than not, [of the] the 15 or 16 who are selected [in the squad] everybody will be ready for selection [in the XI]. That takes a bit of pressure off and you need not worry about the playing XI that much as most of the players get their berths on merit.

"Apart from that, the batting line-up is quite the same. Bowling-wise, Zaheer is back. We have got Umesh Yadav who can bowl over 140kph. I think it looks like a good pack."

Dhoni said he was not worried about the fact that only two of his bowlers had played more than 15 Tests as it was more important to have in-form bowlers than experienced ones.

"R Ashwin has just made his debut in the series against West Indies while Harbhajan Singh has played in 98 Test matches and is one of the leading wicket-takers for India," Dhoni said. "Nobody knew what Ashwin can do. But he ended up winning the Man-of-the-Series in the Tests. This is something that Duncan said that we have to be careful about. Just because the big names are not there, it does not mean the bowling attack is weak. Even when Shane Warne or Glenn McGrath made their debut they started from zero wickets. You may be having a [potentially] great bowler, who may be just starting his career and playing the first few games."