Seasoned Australian opener Justin Langer says beating India in India in a Test series will signify the pinnacle of the careers of the touring Australian team.
"It is a challenge we have set for ourselves to beat India, who are a very good side. They have got some great players. To beat India in India will be the pinnacle of our careers," Langer told said in Mumbai on Friday on arriving from Australia via Singapore.
Langer flew in along with teammate Nathan Huaritz and chairman of the Australian selection panel Trevor Hohns.
Ace leg spinner Shane Warne and his understudy Cameron White, who were to come along with them, missed the connecting flight at Singapore and are scheduled to reach late Friday night.
The main tour party, led by wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, is scheduled to arrive from England early Saturday morning.
Langer, who tasted moderate success when the team led by Waugh visited and lost the unforgettable Test series to India 1-2 in 2001, said he loves to visit the country and taste its different culture.
"I love India. Last time it was a great experience seeing the different culture and the passion of the people for cricket.
"Although I had good success against India in Australia (in 2003-04), my last tour to India was only reasonably moderate. It was not a failure, but it was not a great tour (from personal point of view)," the left-handed batsman said.
Langer scored only 161 runs, batting mainly one down, at a modest average of 32.20 in the 2001 series in which India lost by an innings at Mumbai and then turned the rubber around on its head by following on and then winning the second Test at Kolkata before clinching the series at Chennai.
Since that historic visit, the 33-year-old batsman has forged a great combination with Matthew Hayden after the exit of Michael Slater at the top of the Australian Test order and made a mention of it today as well.
"From a personal point of view I am looking forward to some more great partnerships with Matthew Hayden and getting the team off to a good start. And if we can do that hopefully that will help the result," Langer said.
"It's (series win in India) something we are keen to achieve. It's probably the only thing the current team has not been able to do. They have beaten India in India in one-day cricket, but have not beaten India in a Test series.
"We hope the result will be different this time. But the cricket will still be exciting and entertaining as it was the last time," he said.
Langer still remembers the catch of Sachin Tendular by Ricky Ponting that ricocheted off his shoulder when Langer was fielding at short leg to the former at mid-wicket. It turned the Mumbai Test irrevocably the visitors' way as the master batsman was going great guns.
"I remember that was a great catch by Ricky. As it turned out that was also a great series, something we have fond memories of," he said.
Langer also felt that it was good this time around that the team was playing only a Test series against India without the additional burden of a one-day series to follow.
"From that point of view it is good. I think we can all put all our focus just in the series."
Langer also did not attach much importance to India's poor run of late in the limited over format of the game.
"One day and Test cricket are two different games. India always rises to the occasion against Australia. They are used to the home conditions. So they are going to be at the top of their game," he said.
The opener, not part of his country's limited-overs squad, said that World Cup champions Australia can be excused for losing a one-day game now and then, referring to the Ricky
Ponting-led team's loss to England in the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy.
"The way I look at it Australia can be excused for losing a game every now and then. They have not lost a game (to England) in the last four to five years.
"The most surprising part, as everyone saw it, is that Australia lost to England. That's because of the Ashes rivalry (between the two sides). Had they (Australia) lost to any other team, there may not have been so much interest in it," Langer added.
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