India’s cricket captain Sourav Ganguly said on Thursday he is confident the switch from limited-day cricket to traditional five-day Tests will change his team’s fortunes in next month’s home series against Australia.
India go into the highly anticipated clash against the world champions low on confidence after demoralising defeats in four consecutive one-day tournaments since August, including the ongoing Champions Trophy in England.
But Ganguly is certain his side will recover to dent Australia’s chances of winning their first Test series on Indian soil in 35 years.
”It is just a matter of getting our touch back,” Ganguly said on the team’s return after the early Champions Trophy exit.
”This same set of boys have done wonders over the last two years by reaching the World Cup final, securing a 1-1 draw in Australia and winning the first-ever series in Pakistan.
”I am confident we will do well against Australia like we did the previous two times they have been in India.”
India overcame Mark Taylor’s tourists in 1998 and then stopped Steve Waugh’s world beaters in their tracks three years later with a sensational 2-1 triumph in what is widely regarded as one of the finest Test series ever played.
Ganguly’s men, trounced inside four days in the first Test and made to follow-on 274 runs behind in the second, fought back to win the three-match series on the back of Venkatsai Laxman’s magnificent 281 in the second Test and a 32-wicket series haul by off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.
”We need to recreate that magic again,” said Ganguly. ”The past will not win us matches. We have to ensure we are up to the task whenever we take the field.”
India have their work cut out for the four-Test series, which begins in Bangalore on October 6.
Most of the top cricketers have not played a first-class game since the third Test in Pakistan in April.
Worse, the batsmen are woefully out of form, superstar Sachin Tendulkar is doubtful for the series with a tennis elbow and upcoming seamer Laxmipathy Balaji has been ruled out for six months with a pelvic injury.
Officials were planning to hold a four-day match between the probables before the team for the first Test is picked, a move Ganguly welcomed.
”That game is a must to put us in the right frame of mind for the Test matches,” he said.
”There is going to be a lot of competition. No one can take their place for granted. Whoever does well will get a chance.”
The Australians will be without captain Ricky Ponting for at least the first Test after he fractured his left thumb during the Champions Trophy semifinal loss against hosts England.
Wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist is expected to lead the tourists, who arrive on Friday and begin the six-week tour with a three-day match against Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai from September 30.
Australia last won a series in India under Bill Lawry in 1969. — Sapa-AFP