By IANS
Mumbai : Skipper Anil Kumble said before the 16-member India squad left for an 84-day tour Down Under that it’s a tough challenge playing Australia in their own backyard, but his team is ready for it.
The squad left Monday morning for Singapore en route to Australia to play four Tests, a tri series, Sri Lanka being the third team, and a Twenty20 international against Australia in Melbourne.
“It’s a tough challenge to play Australia in Australia but we are ready for it,” said Kumble before leaving.
Kumble will captain the side only in the Test matches before wicketkeeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni takes over the reins for the Twenty20 International and the ODIs.
Kumble said the team could win the Test series — a feat that no Indian team has achieved in Australia.
“We had a very good series against Pakistan, winning the one-dayers as well as the Test series, and that should be a confidence booster for doing well in Australia,” said Kumble.
“We have quality in the side. The potential in the side and the players’ experience will be of immense help.”
Test squad: Anil Kumble (captain), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (vice-captain/wicket-keeper), Virendra Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, V.V.S. Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Wasim Jaffer, Ishant Sharma, Rudra Pratap Singh, Zaheer Khan, Dinesh Kaarthick and Pankaj Singh
Itinerary
Dec 20-22: Victoria v Indians – Junction Oval, Melbourne
Dec 26-30: 1st Test – Melbourne Cricket Ground
Jan 2-6, 2008: 2nd Test – Sydney Cricket Ground
Jan 10-12: ACT Invitational XI v Indians, Manuka Oval, Canberra
Jan 16-20: 3rd Test – WACA Ground, Perth
Jan 24-28: 4th Test – Adelaide Oval
Feb 1: Only Twenty20 International – Melbourne Cricket Ground
Triangular Series
Feb 3: Australia v India, Woolloongabba, Brisbane
Feb 5: India v Sri Lanka, Woolloongabba, Brisbane
Feb 10: Australia v India, Melbourne Cricket Ground
Feb 12: India v Sri Lanka, Manuka Oval, Canberra
Feb 17: Australia v India, Adelaide Oval
Feb 19: India v Sri Lanka, Adelaide Oval
Feb 24: Australia v India, Sydney Cricket Ground
Feb 26: India v Sri Lanka, Bellerive Oval, Hobart
March 2: 1st Final – To be decided, Sydney Cricket Ground
March 4: 2nd Final – To be decided, Woolloongabba, Brisbane
March 7: 3rd Final – To be decided, Adelaide Oval (if required)