Dravid said it was imperative for his players to maintain their performancelevel right through the England tour which he described as "veryspecial".
"If we play up to our true potential, I think we can have a very goodseries. We have to try and play good cricket and maintain the performance rightthrough the length and breadth of the tour," Dravid said at a pre-departurepress conference in Mumbai.
"We have been playing good Test cricket in last 12-14 months. Winningthe Test match at the Wanderers (South Africa) was a good moment but the nexttwo Test matches were disappointing. So, we will have to be consistent to besuccessful during an overseas tour," he said.
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The Indian captain also emphasised that newly-appointed manager Chandu Bordewill be part of the team management and will be involved in strategy-making.
Asked specifically on what would be Borde's role during the tour, Dravidsaid, "Borde will be part of the team management... He will take part instrategies and meetings.
"He has so much much knowledge and experience. In the earlier part ofthe tour, he will get to know the players and how the team works and get morecomfortable with everyone."
Dravid also said the tour provided an opportunity for the team to bounce backfrom the disappointment of the World Cup in the West Indies.
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He said that any tour of England was special for the cricketers.
"There have been some great performances by Indian teams over the years.It is a country of cricketing history. To play in grounds where great playershave played will be special," he said.
"The crowd always appreciates good cricket. The Test matches are wellattended. All the matches that I have played in England so far has had thegrounds full," he said.
On bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad, Dravid said, "He had a lot ofexperience and has been working hard with the youngsters. It will give him achance to look at the strengths and weaknesses of the bowlers, he has a big roleto play during the tour."
Dravid also singled out paceman Zaheer Khan, saying he would have tospearhead the bowling attack and play the role of mentor for the young pacemenin the team.
"Zaheer has the experience, having played county cricket in England. Healso has a big role to play."
Borde, who was also present at the press conference, described the tour as achallenge and said he was used to handling such situations.
"I am used to these things. Its a challenge for us. I know what is goingon in the Indian team," he said.
Analysing the England team, Borde said, "They have good variety in theirpace attack and also have a formidable line-up. The team that plays at homealways does well," he said.
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"I have been watching them on TV. They are doing well against the WestIndies. The batting looks comfortable with Pietersen, Cook, Collingwood in theirranks," Borde said.
PTI
