Ganguly banking on seniors to see India through

Captain Sourav Ganguly is relying on his experienced players as India seek their first Test series win outside South Asia for 16 years with the first of five matches against West Indies starting on Thursday.

"We have a number of people here who have been to the West Indies before," Ganguly told reporters on Wednesday.

"They know what it takes to play in the Caribbean, they have seen the conditions. That should help a great deal."

Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble and Vangipurappu Laxman were all part of the team that came to the Caribbean in 1996-97 and lost the five-Test series 1-0.

"We have a better team this time, a good blend of youth and experience. I'm sure we'll do better," Ganguly said.

Ganguly is hoping for fireworks from top batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who has hit 28 Test centuries in 91 matches.

But the Indian camp have a worry with off-spinner Harbhajan Singh doubtful for the Test because of a shoulder injury suffered in a practice game on Sunday.

Harbhajan, nicknamed "Turbanator" when he shot to fame by capturing 32 wickets to lead India to a stunning 2-1 win in a three-match home series against Australia last year, will undergo a late fitness Test.

If Singh is ruled out, off-spinner Sarandeep Singh is likely to partner leg-spinner Kumble.

OVERSEAS WOES

India's poor overseas record will weigh on the team's mind going into the series.

"Over the last one and a half years, we have won a few Tests abroad. We have come close to winning a few times and ended up with close draws," Ganguly said.

Ganguly is likely to bat at number three following a century scored at that position against Zimbabwe last month.

"I batted at number three at the start of my career, I want to do it again."

West Indian skipper Carl Hooper, equally confident of a good showing, feels bowlers are going to decide the series.

"On the batting side, we are both pretty much equal with the return of Brian Lara from injury," Hooper said on Wednesday.

Lara has been out of action for three months since injuring his elbow against Sri Lanka but he took part in a practice session on Tuesday.

"It's the bowlers who will make the difference. They have some pretty good players in Kumble and Harbhajan and Srinath but we believe we have the bowlers who can win matches for us."

West Indies are likely to field three pace bowlers from Mervyn Dillon, Marlon Black, Cameron Cuffy and newcomer Adam Stanford, who is being touted as their hidden weapon this series.

"Adam is a very exciting bowler, with a big heart and lots of pace -- which the Indians I'm sure will find out," Hooper warned.

Leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo, who grabbed a domestic record of 50 wickets this season, is also likely to get the nod.

"We are in the rebuilding stage in the West Indies," Hooper, whose team have lost five Tests in a row, said.

"It's important for us to be winning matches right now. This will be a good time to start."

Squads:

India: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Wasim Jaffer, Deep Dasgupta, Shiv Sundar Das, Vangipurappu Laxman, Dinesh Mongia, Ajay Ratra, Sanjay Bangar, Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Sarandeep Singh, Tinu Yohannan, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra.

West Indies: Carl Hooper (captain), Christopher Gayle, Stuart Williams, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Brian Lara, Shivnaraine Chanderpaul, Ryan Hinds, Junior Murray, Mervyn Dillon, Cameron Cuffy, Marlon Black, Adam Stanford, Mahendra Nagamootoo.

Mail Cricket Editor