Captain Saurav Ganguly said his young team wasprepared to counter the notorious Australian sledging during India's upcomingtour in November.
The "players have learnt to live with it," hesaid.
"It (sledging) happens. There are few wordsexchanged on the field these days. It happens with every team. But the playershave learnt to live with it," Ganguly said.
"Sledging has become part of modern-day cricket,but it is a minor issue which should not be blown out of proportion,"Ganguly said in an interview to ESPN-Star Sports.
The Indian captain said he agreed to some extent with Sunil Gavaskar's observations that sledging had degeneratedinto "personal abuse" but refrained from making a comment on the warof words between Gavaskar and former Aussie speedster Dennis Lillee.
"I don't totally disagree with Gavaskar. Thesethings happen. But I have not heard all that they have said, so I am not in aposition to make a statement," Ganguly said.
On whether the team had started preparations for theAustralian tour, the Indian skipper said "It's too early. We still have three-four months. We know what the conditionswill be in Australia, we know what to expect.
"It is going to be a tough tour. We have to behonest and work really hard and raise our game if we have to compete withthem," the Indian skipper said.
Australia are slated to come down to India for a tri-series, with New Zealand asthe third team, in October. India then go to Australia for a Test series inNovember.
Ganguly sought to draw comfort from the fact that theAustralians have not won an away-Test series against India in the past threedecades and said his team would try to capitalise on their vulnerability onIndian tracks during the triangular series.
"Obviously, they are a great side. They beat us inthe World Cup final. But they have not won against us at home," Gangulysaid.
The 31-year-old Ganguly, who has won 13 of his 32 Tests as captain, said his team was determined to avenge the defeat againstthe Kiwis during their away-series last year.
"We did not play well when we toured New Zealand.Obviously the wickets were different, but that is no excuse for not playingwell. Both sides had to play on the same track," he said.
"Winning the toss there gave some advantage. Theywere the winning side most of the time," he explained.
The Indian captain, however, cautioned his team not toget complacent against the Kiwis just because they were playing on familartracks at home.
"It is an important series for us. They are a goodteam and we have to play well. They have a good track record," he said.
Asked about the conditioning camp in Bangalore, Ganguly said, "It isimportant. We had a lay-off for about three-four months. Though we did ourpersonal training, it is important to work together as an unit".
On injury worries to some of the key players, theskippersaid he was hopeful all the players would be fit in time for the Test seriesbeginning on October 8.
"I talked to Sehwag. He is okay now. Playingcounty cricket in England takes a lot on your body. We guys play a lot ofinternational cricket and travel all around the globe. There are bound to besome niggling injuries," he said.
Asked to comment on India A's successful tour ofEngland, Ganguly said it had provided an opportunity to the youngsters to getinto the national team.
"I have not seen them play but have followed thescores. It obviously provides them an opportunity to get into the nationalteam".
On whether he had fixed any targets for the comingseason, the skipper said "I don't believe in setting targets. Whatis important is to try and play to the best of your ability".
"I had a very good last year. I just want to playand do well for my country. Every day is a new day, you wake up, go out and tryand do your best. That's how I see it," he said.
PTI
