Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly says the worst is behind his team and it is now ready to take on Pakistan at home in the upcoming Test and one-day series.
Ganguly attributed India's inconsistency in the last few months to the batsmen struggling to put up big scores but was upbeat about taking on Pakistan.
"Top teams have gone through this phase, and so did we.
But I am happy with the way our batting picked up momentum against South Africa and Bangladesh. I suppose the worst is over," he said in an interview in the latest issue of Wisden Asia Cricket.
Ganguly, into his fifth year as captain, also said that India's pool of medium-pacers could play a decisive role in the three-Test and six-match one-day series.
"All the three Test venues -- Mohali, Kolkata and Bangalore -- have good sporting pitches that help seamers, so our pacers should find it to their liking. At the same time, subcontinental pitches will help spinners as well."
Ganguly said the pace attack had often put him in a quandary about leaving out either Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, especially in one-day games, and he termed it as "the most difficult thing" in the five years of his captaincy.
"(But) both Anil and Bhajji have taken it very sportingly. They realise the importance of the team first. That's what we have tried to build: a feeling of team spirit," the left-handed batsman said.
Ganguly defended the team policy of experimentation even though it might have cost India a humiliating defeat against minnows Bangladesh.
"Look at how the Australians experiment with the team, with the batting order and bowlers. The idea is to have players who fit into a role given to them.
"We gave Parthiv Patel a chance because he has the talent. He is young, will become mature and will know how to handle the pressure, so this break will be good for him. We thought of Yuvraj as an opener because he could then play in the XI. And since the experiment with Sehwag had been successful, we thought it would be a big platform for Yuvraj too."
On his own form, Ganguly admitted that captaining the side did compound the pressure.
"Look at cricket around the world today, except perhaps Ricky Ponting, almost all the captains are struggling -- Inzamam-ul Haq, Michael Vaughan, Brian Lara. You have to balance your own needs and the team's needs, and at times the captain takes precedence over the batsman."
But he said he was keen to score more and more runs for his team. "I am as hungry for runs in 2005 as I was at any given point. In fact, I have evolved as a batsman."
Ganguly also acknowledged John Wright's "outstanding" contribution in making India a strong team.
"It's been a healthy working relationship and we can see the results. This Indian team has moved forward and everybody has enjoyed being part of this run," he said.
