India will tackle Aussies with spin: Ganguly

Indian captain Sourav Ganguly feels that the probables for the conditioning camp are the best possible cricketers available in the country at present. At the same time, however, he is quick to point out that some other promising cricketers have been left out simply because the present probables are only for the Test series. "Like Yuvraj Singh," he said. "He does not figure in the list of probables for the conditioning camp simply because we are concentrating on the Test series initially."

Ganguly, who had attended the selection committee meeting at Mumbai on Monday is also of the opinion that India will have to possibly depend on a spin-oriented attack against the powerful Australians. "That will be our main strength," said Ganguly. It may be recalled that the Indian captain had wanted spinning tracks in the recently concluded series against Zimbabwe. He however did not get it.

Ganguly also feels that the present conditioning camp will be an ideal opportunity to watch some of the promising cricketers. "I have heard that both Surendra Singh and Balaji Rao are good bowlers. One is a fast bowler while the other is a leg spinner. The camp will give me a chance of viewing them from close quarters and judging them myself."

Meanwhile the Umpires of the Cricket Association of Bengal felicitated the Indian captain at a gathering at the YMCA ceremony hall in Kolkata on Tuesday. Ganguly was presented with a silver plaque and a shawl. Speaking on the occasion, the 28-year-old stylish left-hander said, "Any honour from Calcutta is always dear to me, especially as I have grown up in this city."

National selector Ashok Malhotra described Ganguly as an immensely talented player, and recalled having played with him for Bengal. "I must admit that we were too naive to understand then that we were playing with such a great player," he said. Another former Indian cricketer Arun Lal showered praise on Ganguly for his 'never say die' attitude and his intense desire to win.