The Australian team assembled for the upcoming tour of India is better equipped than the ones which toured the country in 1998 and 2001 to take its first series win in India for 35 years , star leg-spinner Shane Warne says.

"This is our best chance to beat India. It's not an easy task though," Warne told reporters as the team prepared for the tour opener against domestic champion Bombay on September 30.

Australia, which will play four tests against India, has more than one potential match-winner, with Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden, Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee all on board. Skipper Ricky Ponting will also prove a major influence when he recovers from an injured hand.

"I have plans for most of the Indian batsmen," said Warne, who was a member of the Australian team that lost 1-2 to India in 2001.

India will be without star batsman Sachin Tendulkar for the first test to be played in the southern city of Bangalore from October 6. He has been nursing an elbow injury after missing the recent one-day Natwest series against England and the Champions trophy, which the West Indies won Friday.

McGrath, who will spearhead Australia's opening attack, has been involved in tough battles against Tendulkar in the past.

"It's disappointing Sachin won't be there. I'm not sure how long he would be out for. But I think we always enjoy playing him," McGrath said. "It's a big challenge for us, but from an Indian spectator point of view it will be a bigger loss."

Lee, another Australian fast bowler, can't wait to get cracking. He missed the last Australian tour in 2000-2001 because of injuries.

Lee said his team would miss Ponting in the first test. The Australian captain suffered a finger injury while playing against England last week and is expected to be available for the second test against India.

Lee was full of praise for stand-in captain Adam Gilchrist.

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