Indian captain Virat Kohli does not believe that the Australian team are vulnerable or weak after the ball-tampering saga. There is an underlying feeling that the Indians are the favourites leading into the series, but Kohli does not want to read too much into predictions.
"I personally don't think any Australian side is vulnerable at home," Kohli said at his pre-match press conference.
"You cannot take any side for granted. Whatever happened, the skill level is still there. However much you talk or behave, it's your skill that counts. They still have the skill to dominate at home. We're not taking anything for granted," he further added.
'Bowlers feel they are at the peak of their skill levels'
Kohli also announced India's 12-member squad for the first Test at Adelaide. Murali Vijay and Rohit Sharma find their names while Ravindra Jadeja and Umesh Yadav have been left out. This could well mean that Indian could play with four specialist bowlers including spinner R Ashwin.
Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah will lead their pace attack along with off-spinner Ravi Ashwin. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav missed out.
"The guys (bowlers) feel that they are at the peak of their skill levels at the moment and they are looking forward to this challenge. The guys (bowlers) feel that they are at the peak of their skill levels at the moment and they are looking forward to this challenge," said Kohli.
Earlier, even vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane said that India is not reading too much into the pre-series connotations and consider hosts Australia to still be the favourites since they are playing in their home conditions.
"I feel that any team that plays at home, they feel really good, and I feel that Australia are still the favourites to win the series. We are not going to take them lightly at all. Yes, they (will) miss Steve Smith and David Warner but I don't think they are vulnerable," Rahane told reporters before the 1st Test match.
