No differences with Sourav: Chappell

Despite his well-documented spat with Sourav Ganguly, coach Greg Chappell asserted that he does not have any difference with the deposed Indian captain.

Addressing the media during the Indian team's first press conference in Lahore on Friday, Chappell played with a straight bat on the Ganguly issue. 

Also Read Wish Team India Images: India arrive in Pakistan

"I don't have any differences with Sourav," he said. "He understands, and I understand, what is expected of all the players in the group. The commitment to excellence still stands. The players understand what is expected of them and Sourav is no different," he explained. 

Asked whether Ganguly would be included in the playing eleven for the first Test, starting in Lahore on January 13, Chappell replied, "Ganguly is a part of the touring squad and we will decide on the best playing eleven for the first Test after watching their performance in the warm-up games."

India's coach also made light of the seaming pitches and cold weather conditions in Pakistan, saying his team is well-prepared to tackle any adversity.

"India is well-equipped for whatever conditions we come across in the series. We have got good seam bowlers, we have got good spin bowlers, and we have a fairly-balanced attack.

"Again, I don't have any concerns for what sort of pitches are prepared for the Test matches because we will be able to cope with whatever comes our way," he said.

Chappell, however, agreed that the poor form of his openers is matter of concern.

"We didn't get great starts in the last series and we can't rely on the middle order and the tail to do all the work. We will need good starts and that's what we have to look at.

"We will discuss the composition of the side and will pick the best players suited for the job. The good openers and good starts will be important for us in the series," he said.

Talking about India-Pakistan clashes, Chappell agreed that, in terms of the number of fans following the India-Pakistan series, it is way ahead of the Ashes rivalry between England and Australia. 

"India versus Pakistan is one of the great contests in world cricket. Though the history the Ashes series has been one of a kind, probably now India-Pakistan series has taken over. The number of people who follow this series around the world will far outnumber anything that happens in cricket,'' he said.

Chappell also reckoned that handling the pressure of expectancy would be key to the series. 

"It's a great challenge for both teams. There will be a lot of external pressure applied to both teams and it will be the team that handles all expectations and plays the best cricket that will win. And we hope that's what we will do,'' he added.