Kolkata: Promising Indian pacer SS Paul was close to a national call up, Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly said on Monday and asserted that the dismal performance of his boys in the ICC Champions Trophy would not affect the side's prospects in the coming four-Test series against formidable Australia.

''Paul has been doing very well. He is very close to playing for the country,'' Ganguly said in Kolkata.

The Bengal pacer had performed commendably for India 'A' in Nairobi and while representing Rest of India against Mumbai in the just-concluded Irani Trophy.

''But he must keep on performing. He should know that playing for India 'A' and the national squad are entirely different ball games,'' Ganguly said.

Terming the coming engagements against the Kangaroos as a 'big series' for both sides, he said the entire cricketing world was looking forward to the clash.

''We have done well against them earlier,'' Ganguly said in an obvious reference to the scintillating 2-1 win in the home series in 2001, and the drawn series down Under from late last year to early this year.

When a scribe asked whether the recent poor showing of the Indian team, especially in the ICC Champions Trophy, would affect the team's prospects in the coming series, Ganguly said, ''I don't think so. One-dayers are one-off games. Our showing in these matches will have no bearing on the Test series''.

Ganguly said that dashing batsman Virender Sehwag would be the number one opener for the Indians in the coming series with Aakash Chopra and Yuvraj Singh contenders for the other spot.

''Sehwag has done well in the Tests recently. He even got a 300 plus score against Pakistan. He will be there. We have a match in Bangalore from tomorrow. Whoever performs well there stands a chance. Aakash Chopra and Yuvraj Singh may be the contenders for the other opener's slot,'' he said.

Asked whether the absence of injured Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting would be a disadvantage for the visitors, Ganguly said, ''It is not a question of advantage or disadvantage. The fact is that the Aussies will be missing their skipper''.

Ponting fractured his left thumb while fielding in the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final tie against England and flew home for further investigation and treatment.

Stand-in captain Adam Gilchrist has said that it would be known over the next five days when injured regular skipper Ricky Ponting would be able to join the team.

However, according to fast bowler Glenn McGrath, Ponting was out of reckoning at least for the first two Tests at Bangalore and Chennai.

''I have played against him only in One-dayers. But never in Tests. Let's see what happens this time,'' he said.

Ganguly said that his side was prepared to play on any type of track given to them. ''We don't have any say in this respect, Whatever track we get, it is fine for us.''