It will not be easy for the Aussies, says Dravid

Rahul Dravid feels that even though the Australians have won 15 Tests on the trot, it will not be easy for them to continue the winning streak in India. He readily admitted that the Australians under Steve Waugh is the best cricket side that he has seen. "The Australians are no doubt a force to reckon with. We have to raise the level of our game to compete with them." However, the Indian vice captain, in a chat with reporters in Kolkata on Tuesday, added "they will not find the going as easy as they have been experiencing in the recent past."

Dravid, who left Kolkata on Wednesday enroute to Agartala to lead the South Zone side against East Zone also felt that the handling of Glen McGrath by the Indian batsmen would be crucial. "We have to see him off safely," said Dravid. "If McGrath can be neutralized, then the batsmen will not be under too much pressure."

Dravid however, was the first to admit that the team will definitely miss the services of Anil Kumble. "He is a great bowler. He had bowled very well in the last home series that we played. But then we have to formulate a work plan in his absence." When it was pointed out that the selectors were talking highly about the Tamil Nadu leg spinner, WD Balaji Rao, Dravid said, " I really cannot comment on him as I have not played domestic cricket this year. I played against Rao a couple of years back. Since then I have not really seen him."

Even though he was not ready to comment on the type of pitches that should be prepared, Rahul Dravid pointed out that wickets should be prepared to help the home side. "I was watching the recent South Africa-Sri Lanka series. The wickets were tailor made to help the South African fast bowlers. There was nothing in the wicket for Muthiah Muralitharan. Similarly when we went to play in Australia, the pitches were bouncy and fast. So home teams always take advantage of known conditions." It was clear that Dravid was asking for pitches that would help the Indian spinners.

Dravid also spoke highly of a few young batsmen. "Players like Shiv Sundar Das, Yuvraj Singh and Mohammed Kaif are players to watch out for. They have shown a lot of promise and hope," said the stylish 28-year-old right-hander from Karnataka.