Australia's stand-in skipper Adam Gilchrist said today his side was facing
a "great challenge" in the one-day series as a passionate and energetic
India was was high on confidence.
"We lost to India in the semi-finals of Twenty20. They had great passion
and great energy. We expect them to come full of confidence. They are going
to be a great challenge," Gilchrist told a news conference on the eve of
the first ODI here.
"I'm really excited about this tour. We had enough time for preparations
before coming into this tour. We know the conditions well and are ready for
this," he said.
Australia has got a very good side, Gilchrist said. "We
have six changes since the world cup final (in April)... retirements, injuries
and babies being born... But we have got a side that is well placed".
He said the aggression shown by Indian fast bowlers in the
Twenty20 World Cup was expected.
"If there is no fire in the belly and that aggression
as a fast bowler, they cannot succeed. We will expect that. But we have to back
it up with good cricket. India did it in the Twenty20 cricket. We have been
doing it for over a decade...At least for the majority of the games".
Gilchrist also said India was a land of extremes.
"If they win they are so popular and if they lose, they
are not so popular. It's up to them how they go about. Three or four more experienced
players coming back and it will be always a pressure," Gilchrist added.
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