I will target Dravid, says Warne

Shane Warne has said that he will be targeting Rahul Dravid, recently named as the ICC's player of the year, when Australia's Indian series kicks off with the first Test at Bangalore on October 6.


"Dravid is the key batsman. I will be targeting Dravid", said Warne. "We are good friends off the field, but on the field, he's the best player and in form. He's the guy I will be targeting. He's on a roll. He's the rock. In the two tours I have been here, I have had Dravid seven times. I don't know why my success is against him, and not some of the other players. I know how to bowl to him. I think all the Indian players know how to play spin, Rahul is as good as anyone in the world."


Warne also underlined Sachin Tendulkar's batting class, and backed him to be fit to play in the first Test. "Tendulkar is the best batsman in the world in my 15 years of playing," he added. "There's a lot of talk about his tennis elbow, but I have got no doubt that he will be there for the first Test.


"The Indian players jumped at everything and did not allow my plans to work in the previous tours," Warne continued. "It's when I attack that I am at my best, but as a spinner, you have to adapt, and at times you have to bowl to a defensive line. We are a bit smarter now. Two Test tours in 15 years is not a lot to learn how to play in these conditions, whether you bowl fast or slow. Six Tests in 15 years is not a lot."


With Australia seeking their first series victory in India for 35 years, Warne said he believed the current Australian side to be the one most likely to achieve the goal, although the loss of Ricky Ponting because of injury was a big blow.


"This is our best chance to beat India. It's not an easy task though. The team that's here now is better equipped than the previous two teams that visited here in 1998 and 2001. Our batsmen are playing spin better than they used to. Ponting is a huge loss, though. He is up there with any of the best batsmen in the world. As a captain, he's excellent.


"We have some inexperienced Test players, but I have seen Michael Clarke first hand and he's a super player. When he gets his chances, he will be sensational. Our team has variety in batsmen and bowlers. Darren Lehmann, Clarke, [Brad] Hodge, [Simon] Katich: they are all good spinners as well. That's the beauty of the selection of this squad. There's tremendous variety. It's a credit to the selectors that they have given us options.


"This time I am fitter than I have ever been - injury-free, touch wood - so I think I am in better shape," Warne added. "The real test of a spinner is how you go over here. It's the hardest place to ply your trade. I am quietly confident the way we are going to play as a team. We will be aggressive in our batting, and we have all got plans. I have a plan for the guys and hopefully it will work this time. I have some plans for most of the Indian batsmen, mixing it up, and different types of things."


Warne admitted that the small issue of the world Test bowling record was also on his mind – he is just five wickets behind Muttiah Muralitharan. "I would like to get that record away in the first Test. A series win is definitely the first priority, but from a personal point of view, I need only six wickets for the world record," said Warne. "That's high on my agenda, but as I have found out over the years, sometimes you are close to a world record and you try too hard. If it doesn't happen, you get frustrated. So I have got to be very patient. The key is knowing your own game and being patient. When I am patient I do well, when I am not, I don't do well."


Warne also hinted, rather obviously, that this would probably be his last tour of India. "I don't know if I would come back here when I am 39," he said. "The only thing I have not experienced is to win a series in India and play a major part. If I do well here, we have a big chance of winning. I won't say this would be a major swansong, but I would like to play a major part. I have to make a big statement with the bat too here, not only with the ball."