Gambhir says India ready for match against Australia

India opener and vice- captain Gautam Gambhir believes India can beat Australia tomorrow

India opener and vice- captain Gautam Gambhir believes India can beat Australia tomorrow. "We know that we have to play three tough matches against Australia, West Indies and Sri Lanka. We are hopeful because we have beaten a team like South Africa in the first round. We also know that since Australia did not qualify in the second round of the last T20 World Cup, they will come hard at us. But I think we can beat them," said the left-handed batsman, who trained with his teammates at the 3Ws Oval yesterday. Aussies, the world champions in the 50-50 format have yet to claim glory on the world stage of T20 cricket.

Gautam Gambhir

Gambhir who is enjoying his vice captaincy stint said the Indians do not know what a safe target at Kensington Oval would be. "In Guyana, we have seen that 130 was a safe score whereas 160 was the target at St Lucia. But since we have not seen the wicket (at Kensington Oval), we cannot have any safe target in mind," remarked Gambhir.

When asked about his approach to opening the innings, Gambhir said ideally an opener should be watchful for six overs and then attack. "The other theory is to go and hit the ball from the beginning. I do not have a fixed theory. I would like to go with an open mind.

"But whatever the case, if any team wants to win, they should constantly take wickets. The bowlers should not allow the batsmen to settle down," he added. About spin or pace being a better option, he said that a quality bowler was the only option to win matches. "I believe if you have quality spinners, they can win matches on any surface," he said.

Meanwhile, the Indian team has decided to send coach Gary Kirsten to Kensington Oval to inspect the wicket. The team might visit the burial place of Sir Frank Worrell which is adjacent to the ground where they will be practicing today.