There are milestones in store for India captain Sourav Ganguly and coach Greg Chappell in the first cricket Test against Zimbabwe, beginning in Bulawayo on Tuesday, but the duo will take them in their stride and concentrate on winning the rubber well.
Ganguly will be captaining his 48th Test, which will take him ahead of Sunil Gavaskar and Mohammad Azharuddin, who have led India in the most number of matches.
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Ganguly, in his own inimitable style, sought to downplay the milestone.
"I have learnt about this approaching milestone, but to my eyes it's not a major one. For me the cricket which I have played in the past or the one which I would play in future is going to be the more satisfying one," he said.
For the record, Ganguly has captained India in 47 Tests and won 19, lost 13 while 15 have been drawn. Gavaskar won nine, lost eight and drew 30 of his 47 Tests while Mohammad Azharuddin's figures read: 14 wins and 14 losses, with 19 draws.
Ganguly said there is no pressure on his team to do well against Zimbabwe lest they be viewed as ones who cannot do well even against the minnows of international cricket.
"In a match, there are going to be some guys who are going to miss out. I don't think the talent of a cricketer can be judged because he missed out against Zimbabwe and scored 100 against Australia.
"It's what you do over a period of time against all sorts of attack -- that is the true judge of somebody's ability," said Ganguly.
Chappell said he is preparing the team no differently than what he had been doing so far for one-day matches.
"The criteria is pretty similar. There are certain things in the game of cricket that you need to do well.
"We are looking forward to get into the rhythm of Test matches. It is a series which we need to win and win it well.
"I am happy with the preparations and the way it is going but we sure would be happy to see it translated on the field," said the former Australia captain.
Chappell found the Australians' way of preparation before a match a terrific example to follow for the other teams in the world.
"One of the great strengths of the Australian team in recent years is that no matter who they play against, they prepare the same, go through the process and continue to get better.
"Process is the same whomsoever you play. You got to get it right."
Chappell said there was worry about L Balaji's fitness who has pulled up sore after the Mutare game.
"But we have enough players to cover up for him in case the need arises," he added.
Ganguly also stressed that he would bat at his usual number five spot in the Test.
Zimbabwe skipper Tatenda Taibu indicated the strip in the middle would not be as overtly in favour of fast bowlers as it is perceived.
"It would offer low bounce. The spinners might get some help on the fourth and fifth day but it would be pretty much the same over the next five days."
Taibu said he had been encouraged by the form of Dion Ebrahim and Terrence Duffin in the three-day game in Mutare.
He also pretty much cleared Heath Streak for the game tomorrow though the proven all-rounder may have a test on his fitness late this evening.
Streak has been experiencing pain in his right knee where he was struck during the Test series against New Zealand last month.
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