Sachin Tendulkar said yesterday India have their best chance of beating Australia on home ground for the first time in the four-Test series beginning in Melbourne with the Boxing Day Test match.
The phenomenal Indian run machine, second all-time in Test runs to West Indian Brian Lara, said a victory over Ricky Ponting's champion team would be the crowning glory of his magnificent 18-year career.
The 34-year-old superstar, who is making his fourth and likely last tour of Australia, also ruled out any immediate thoughts of retiring.
Tendulkar says he is keen to beat the top-ranked Aussies on their home turf for the first time.
India have won just four Tests in eight Australian tours, but pushed Steve Waugh's side all the way in a 1-1 draw on their last tour of Australia in 2003-2004.
"I think it would be the most important tour [ever] if we can pull it off," Tendulkar told a press conference in Melbourne yesterday.
"Beating Australia is obviously the ultimate thing because of the way they have played for so many years, so it makes it a special tour," he said. "And having come here for the fourth time, it would be a wonderful occasion [if we could win the series]."
Australia's last home series loss was 14 years ago to the West Indies and they have been unbeaten in 26 home series since.
The Indians' only lead-up game to the Boxing Day Test was abandoned after three rain-hit days, offering the tourists only 48 overs' batting practice, but Tendulkar believes India have never been better prepared to beat Australia.
He said India have just come off Test series victories against England in England and against Pakistan in India.
"We have come here properly prepared because, although the practice match was rained off, we have come here having played Test cricket, which is extremely important," Tendulkar said.
"So yes, I would say we are geared up [to win] and as far as I am concerned we are ready to go out there and put on a good show," he said.
Tendulkar, who averages 54.16 in 12 Tests in Australia including a memorable unbeaten 241 in the fourth Sydney Test of the 2003-2004 series, said he was feeling fit despite missing the last Test against Pakistan with knee trouble.
Tendulkar also said he had not contemplated retiring.
"For the past 18 years I have been living my dream and every day is a special one and when we walk out on Dec. 26 [for the start of the first Test against Australia] it will be a terrific occasion," he said.
"I have not [thought about retiring] and I just want to enjoy this tour and if I enjoy it I should do a good job [batting] and that is my focus," Tendulkar said.
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