Former Indian captain Bishen Singh Bedi too, like his illustrious spin partner Erapalli Prasanna, says India can beat the Australians in both Test and one-day series during their forthcoming tour of India.

Talking to PTI in Mumbai before leaving for Delhi on Saturday, the left arm spin wizard said "I feel we can beat them provided we field better than the Australians. I think fielding will be the key".

Bedi, who was in Mumbai to play for the Cricket Club of India's friendly match against Izingari team from United Kingdom, said "our batsmen should score runs quickly so that our bowlers have something to bowl at and with enough time on hand. Our boys should have a positive approach to the series".

Bedi added "The forthcoming series is all about the mind game. It's all in the mind. If we think and plan properly and then implement those plans, half the battle would be won and we should not be demoralised with the absence of leg spinner Anil Kumble as they too are without (fast bowler) Brett Lee, who could have caused problems to our batsmen."

Bedi also said he would love to bowl to West Indian star batsman Brian Lara and see how he would have tackled him. Always willing to teach the nuances of spin bowling to those eager to learn, Bedi gave valuable tips to Essex spinner Michael Davis, who played for Izingari yesterday in the match which CCI XI won handsomely.

Prasanna, who had the reputation of developing the science of off spin bowling into an art, had said yesterday that the Indian team was as strong as the Australian team and that an interesting duel was on the cards.

© PTI