London: The Indian cricket team arrived here on Tuesday on a 83-day tour of England, hoping to repeat its feat of 1986 when it recorded its last major overseas Test series victory.

Saurav Ganguly, who is leading the 15-member Indian team, was quite optimistic of India's chances on the tour. "It will be a good series. England is a good side but we hope to do well," Ganguly told reporters at the airport. Asked why the team had been unable to win a Test series outside the sub-continent for the last 16 years, Ganguly said, "We have come very close to winning on many occasions. We will try our best to win it here. "Ours is a young side but we did very well in the West Indies. We defeated West Indies in the One-day series and also won a Test," he said. "We are looking forward to the triangular series. England is looking good after defeating Sri Lanka in its Test series. England has batted very well in this series," Ganguly said about the hosts' 2-0 win against Sri Lanka in the just-concluded three-Test series. "We are three good sides in the tournament and I am looking forward to a keen contest," he said. Asked about the absence of speedster Javagal Srinath, Ganguly said, "He did not want to play Test cricket any more. We are obviously going to miss him but it is his personal decision." Ganguly, who is accompanied by his wife Dona and infant daughter, said all his players were fit and there were no worries on that count. An avid soccer fan, Ganguly was asked what he thought of the mouth-watering World Cup quarter-final clash between England and Brazil on Friday. "I am also eagerly looking forward to it," said Ganguly who is known to be a supporter of Brazil. Extras:
Indian team embarks on onerous England tour