Star Indian batsman VVS Laxman has dismissed a suggestion that he might struggle in the upcoming Test series, saying he prefers Australian conditions.
Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has said the imposing Indian batting line-up could be exposed on livelier pitches in the four-match series.
Taylor said the young, inexperienced Australian pace attack could prove a nasty surprise because the tourists are used to batting on slow and low Indian wickets.
But Laxman can point to his formidable record of 1,081 runs at 54.05 over 11 Tests in Australia.
"For me, the Australian surfaces are best for batting," Laxman said.
"I always relish batting in such conditions, rather than the subcontinent.
"Once you see the new ball, there's true bounce in the wicket and you can play a lot of shots - you get value for your shots.
"I definitely feel the wickets in Australia are ideal for stroke players."
The glaring exception to Laxman's outstanding record in Australia has been the MCG, where he has only scored 111 runs in three Tests at 18.50.
"I'm quite happy with the way I've played at (the MCG), even though the scores don't reflect that ... I was quite comfortable," he said.
Laxman is also confident pacemen Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma will be ready for Boxing Day.
Zaheer has come back from ankle surgery and Sharma had strapping on his left ankle during Friday's net session.
"He (Zaheer) is lean and fit and he's really worked on his fitness," Laxman said.
"Ishant ... the way he bowled in the second innings of the Chairman's XI (game) in Canberra and the way he bowled today in the nets, was proof they're both fit and raring to go."
Laxman said India's openers - bowlers and batsmen - would play crucial roles on this tour.
"I always believe, especially on an overseas tour, the key (is) to play or use the new ball, either batting or bowling," he said.
"Whenever an Indian team has done well, we've always had our openers firing.
"A lot of people talk about the middle-order contribution in the 2003-04 series in Australia, but it was because Aakash (Chopra) and Viru (Virender Sehwag) gave us the starts.
"We are very lucky as a team to have two outstanding openers (Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir)."
Laxman also backed the decision by his country's officials not to allow the decision review system in their Test matches, saying Indian players had mixed experiences with the technology.
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, india, australia First posted December 24, 2011 09:15:12
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