I. AUSTRALIA PROS, INDIA CONS

FRONTLINE BOWLERS IN THE FOREFRONT

It will be the first time Australia will play a Test match in India with their frontline bowling attack. Warne didn't tour in 1996-97, McGrath missed the 1997-98 tour and Lee was injured before the 2000-01 tour.

It will also be the first time Warne will be playing a Test in India when he is at the peak of his fitness. He had toured India in 1997-98 and 2000-01 immediately after recovering from injury, and was consequently short of match practice.

THE LITTLE BIG MAN'S ABSENCE???

The Indian team will be low on confidence after the reverses it has suffered in the last three months. If Sachin is ruled out of the first Test, the pressure on Ganguly and his teammates will only increase.

THE WILL TO WIN

Talent is all very fine, but at the highest level, it is the hunger and will to win that counts. The Aussies haven't conquered India since 1969-70. Hungry, they surely will be.

AWESOME TWOSOME

India may bank on its spinners to torment the Australian batsmen, but they do need to be complemented by their teammates who will handle the new ball and put some pressure on the opposition with some early wickets. The question is; will Irfan Pathan and his new-ball partner, whether is Zaheer Khan or Ajit Agarkar, pose a realistic threat on 'flattish' Indian wickets to the Australian openers Hayden and Langer, they who have made a habit out of forging double-century opening partnerships and scoring at four an over in Test match cricket? The possibility of the Australian batsmen (read 'openers') having got off to a flying start and being at the peak of their confidence by the time the spinners hand over their caps to the umpires, cannot be termed as 'remote'.

II. AUSSIE CONS, INDIA PROS

NO PONTING

Any team, even a world-beating side like Australia, is bound to be affected by the absence of its captain, although the cynics (if there are any amongst Australian supporters) may claim that his presence will not unduly affect the team, as he did little right with the bat the last time he played a series in India in early 2001.

HOW TO BAT IN INDIA? ASKS THE AUSTRALIAN MIDDLE-ORDER

Openers Hayden and Langer apart, stand-in skipper Gilchrist is the only batsman to have previously batted in a Test on Indian soil. Michael Slater and the Waugh twins, who did duty in 2000-01, have since retired.

INDIA'S SPIN TWINS, AND AUSTRALIA'S OFF-SPIN TRAVAILS

Kumble led India's bowling attack against Mark Taylor's tourists in 1997-98 and bagged a series-winning 23 wickets from three Tests. Three years later, he was unavailable due to a shoulder operation, but Harbhajan filled and fortified the breach with 32 scalps from three Tests. This time, both are fit, and raring to go on a Bangalore pitch that is expected to turn. Australia have tended to struggle against quality off-spin, as has been proved down the years by the likes of Jim Laker, Erapalli Prasanna and of course, Harbhajan Singh. The Indian think-tank should not forget Virender Sehwag's capabilities as an off-spinner. Like Harbhajan, he could capitalize on the fact that the Australian batting line-up is likely to feature five left-handers; Hayden, Langer, Lehmann, Katich and Gilchrist. An extra bowler who can turn it away from these southpaws could be invaluable.

SUNIL MANOHAR GAVASKAR

A decade after he stepped in as 'Acting Coach' of the Indian team when the incumbent Ajit Wadekar suffered a heart attack during the Austral-Asia Cup in Sharjah, Sunil Gavaskar will be seen again in the Indian dressing-room, this time as 'Cricket Consultant'. His inspirational presence and mastery of the sport will undoubtedly help the team emerge from the rut it has got itself into. However, the cynics (and there are plenty amongst Indian supporters) may well ask, "Where does that leave John Wright?