Virender Sehwag has no doubt that Andrew Symonds' absence in Australian ranks would help India but the hard-hitting opener rues it would be a loss not only for his country but also for the game as a whole.
Despite Symonds' bitter relation with most of his team-mates, Sehwag has not lost respect for the embattled all-rounder whose absence, he says, would benefit India in the forthcoming four-Test series.
"Of course it's going to help us. He is a player who can change the complexion of a match either by his batting or bowling. At number five or six, he is a dangerous batsman and he is quite effective with his bowling as well. So India is definitely going to benefit from his absence.
"But at the same time, he is such a quality player that his absence would be a loss for the game of cricket," Sehwag said in New Delhi on Friday.
Symonds was left out of the India-bound squad following the all-rounder's sagging commitment to the Australian team, which saw him being sent home after he had gone fishing ignoring a compulsory team meeting.
Sehwag reckons it would be a tough job for India to beat the Aussies and everyone has to be at the peak of their game to do so.
"I love challenges and facing their world class attack is going to be a huge challenge for all of us. We have to be on our toes to beat them. After all, they are the world number one team," he said.
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On paper, Australia look like injury-plagued with captain Ricky Ponting recovering from a wrist surgery, batting mainstay Matthew Hayden recuperating from an Achilles' injury and pace spearhead Brett Lee struggling to overcome his broken marriage.
Sehwag, however, refuses to lower the guard and be complacent.
"I think they have enough time to get into shape ahead of the India series. Of course there are niggles but both Ponting and Hayden are recovering fast and I believe they would be full strength before the first Test," he said.
The absence of a quality spinner, however, might hurt Australia, believes Sehwag.
"I think it's going to be a problem for them. The ball would turn here and you have to have a good spinner in the ranks," he said.
The last time the two teams squared off Down Under, the entire series was vitiated by controversy and tension. Sehwag, however, believes it would not happen again.
"Whatever happened there, remained there. I believe it started and ended there and there is no hangover.
"Here we would play tough cricket against them and would like to let our game do all the talking," he said.
