Aussies bring out the best in us, says Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly: 'It's my job to lead from the front' © Getty Images

Sourav Ganguly, India's captain, has stoked the rivalry between his team and the touring Australians ahead of the first Test, which starts at Bangalore on October 6.

"The Aussies know that we are the only side that comes hard at them, and that will be a huge psychological advantage for us," Ganguly told AFP. "I am certain they are worried about playing us. We are always formidable at home and they know it. I am not saying we will certainly win the series - you can't predict that - but it will be a very, very close contest.

"The Aussies bring out the best in us," Ganguly continued, "and I am confident the same will happen again despite a very ordinary start to the season, where we played poor cricket."

Australia, who last won a Test series on Indian soil in 1969 under Bill Lawry, have lost five of the last seven Tests they have played there since 1996. In 2001, India fought back from a drubbing in the first Test to win the next two and grab a stunning 2-1 series victory in the final match. When they toured Australia last year, India managed to hold them to a 1-1 draw.

"Maybe you are only as good as the team you lead, but I have never shirked away from the responsibility given to me," he added. "It's my job to lead from the front. There will always be a lot said when we are not doing well, but in the end what matters is that the captain and the team are willing to stand up and be counted."

When asked whether Sachin Tendulkar's likely absence from the first Test due to a tennis elbow injury would give Australia the edge, Ganguly countered: "I think the Aussies will be hurt more by the absence of captain Ricky Ponting. It affects the team when the captain is not around, and the Australians are no exception. It will put them under a lot of pressure."

Ponting has been ruled out of the first two Tests of the four-match series with a broken thumb. He suffered the injury while fielding during Australia's defeat to England in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy last month. Adam Gilchrist has been named as the stand-in captain during his absence.