By Justin Langer Australian Test batsman

It has been said by many a champion that preparation is the key to success.

Either Clarke or Hodge will step up as Ponting's replacement

With that in mind, this eagerly-awaited series against India should be a successful one for an evolving Australian team.

Besides the unfortunate loss of our captain Ricky Ponting during the ICC Champions Trophy, our build-up for this four-Test series has been outstanding.

In 10 years with Australia, I can't remember seeing a more focused team.

The young guys in the squad have added a renewed energy and determined edge.

This attitude is very uplifting to the senior players who have welcomed a number of these impressive young men with open arms.

It is always energising to have a mix of youth and experience and I sense the combination here in India is just right.

The pitch here in Bangalore is an odd-looking thing, a little like a 1000-piece jigsaw.

With numerous rain interruptions over the last five weeks in Holland, England, and if you could ever believe Bombay, the squad is bursting to play.

However, our only pre-Test practice game only served to make the job of the selectors more difficult.

Ricky's absence automatically paves the way for one of our young batsmen to make his Test debut and wear the cherished baggy green cap for the first time.

Both Brad Hodge and Michael Clarke adapted well to the foreign conditions but we will have to wait until the morning of the game to see who gets the final nod.

There is no denying the pitches here help spin more than anywhere in the world, but due to the dry and dusty surfaces, it can also be difficult to score off fast bowlers.

Besides Shane Warne, who is bowling sensationally at the moment, we have four magnificent pace bowlers at our disposal.

Lee is one of five pace bowlers with hopes of playing

Three of them are old warhorses who can take wickets on any surface and one - Brett Lee - is a speed star who loves bowling as quickly and as aggressively as he possibly can.

As with the batting depth, fitting five bowlers into four places is a difficult but agreeable problem to have.

And with all five of the guys fit, fresh and ready to fire we hope the unflappable Indian batsmen will be in for the fight of their batting lives.

The pitch here in Bangalore is an odd-looking thing, a little like a 1000-piece jigsaw.

Under foot it is like cement but the surface looks like it could crumble over the duration of a five-day match.

If the practice pitches at the ground are anything to go by it will be quite skiddy and potentially very low in terms of bounce.

Again this could aid our fast bowlers as the game goes on.

As with any game of cricket there is so much speculation over what may occur but all I know is that we are ready to go.

We have practiced enough, we have planned enough, we have theorised enough and now it is time to do what we do best and that is play good, hard Test cricket.