Kolkata, July 07: Indian captain Sourav Ganguly today said the team's coming home fixtures against New Zealand and Australia would be tough and well-contested and asserted that he had already started planning for the battles ahead. "The engagements will be tough. All three sides are good. We'll have good cricket," Ganguly told newspersons here.
India are scheduled to play two test matches against New Zealand before taking part in a tri-series, which has Australia as the third team, in October-November.
"I have started planning for the coming battles," Ganguly said after a tune up session along with members of the Bengal Ranji team.
Ganguly refused to subscribe to the view that his side would be under pressure playing against world champions Australia in the tri-series.
When asked for his comments on Aussie coach John Buchanan's recent remarks that his side had put India under mental pressure in the World Cup final, Ganguly said, "they are a good side. Mentally they are very strong. But the real battle will be fought in the 22 yards."
"The Aussies must remember that they have not played well in India in recent times. They lost the test series in India in 2000. If we happen to meet in the final of the tri-nation, they'll have a battle at hand," he added.
Bureau Report