Australia hasn’t won a Test cricket series in India since 1969 and has struggled on dusty, bounceless wickets against India’s arsenal of spin bowlers.

The dry pitch and wet sky could influence Australia’s selection for the first Test starting here today, although the visitors are expected to use three pacemen and two part-time slow bowlers to support legspinner Shane Warne.

The hot speculation over Sachin Tendulkar’s involvement ended when the Indian top-order batsman was ruled out of the first Test with an injured elbow. Yuvraj Singh is expected to fill that place in the batting lineup.

Ganguly said his team’s dramatic wins in the comeback 2-1 series triumph here in 2001 and its recent 1-1 series draw in Australia has the locals high on confidence ahead of the four-Test series.

“Playing Australia is always a challenge and when you perform well it is satisfying,” Ganguly said.

Earlier, the Indian skipper had goaded the Australians by saying they knew his line-up was the only side that “comes hard at them”.

“I am certain they are worried about playing us, and that will be a huge psychological advantage for us,” Ganguly was quoted saying. “We are always formidable at home and they know it.”

Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble will lead India’s slow bowling attack on a pitch that has been prepared for spin.

“I’ve never seen a pitch like this in Bangalore. Never seen (a pitch) so dry and (with) so many cracks,” said Ganguly.

Spin bowlers should get the benefits, although Ganguly expected fast bowlers could get some assistance as the balls deteriorate.

The toss could prove crucial as the team batting last will be put to the toughest challenge on a crumbled wicket.

“Obviously, the line of thinking generally in those circumstances is to bat first,” said stand-in Australian captain Adam Gilchrist.

Kumble, three short of 400 Test wickets, said India plans to play three spinners and use them early in the innings.

“It’s fantastic for spin,” he said, barely concealing his delight at the pitch.

Australia’s chief weapon is Warne, who is looking for an even greater milestone — the all-time record of 532 wickets. The 35-year-old is just five short of Muttiah Muralitharan’s mark and knows this tour is probably his last chance to amend his poor show so far on Indian wickets.

Australia, whose coach John Buchanan described the wicket as “terrible“ on Monday, will lean heavily on Warne to deliver and the champion leg-spinner was ready for the task.

“I don’t feel as if I have something to prove,” said Warne. “I have been inconsistent here, I’ve had some absolute shockers, but it doesn’t mean I can’t bowl.

“The conditions here are so hot that sometimes you can’t execute what you want, but this is the first time I have come to this country fit and raring to go.”

Warne will be supported by a three-pronged pace attack of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz.

The absence of Ricky Ponting for two Tests with an injured hand is deeply felt in the Australian camp. “It’s a big blow for us,” Warne said, but added the Australians were not letting that affect their frame of mind.

Simon Katich is expected to bat at No. 3 to limit disruptions to the top-order.

The Aussies won the last Test they played in Bangalore, beating India by eight wickets in March 1998 on a similar slow turning track. “We have won here the last time around. So we are going into it with confidence,” Lehmann said.

Both teams will be finalised just before the toss, with the combinations depending on the weather.

Australia have lost five of their last seven Tests in India while India have been beaten just once in their last 21 home series, by Hansie Cronje’s South Africa in 2000.