London: India received a vote of confidence ahead of the Tests against Australia with former England captain Michael Atherton backing the hosts to win the four-match series starting on Wedneday.

Atherton said although Australia had done well in the sub-continent in recent past, they were likely to crumble under pressure against Indian spinners.

"The Australians tour the sub-continent more often than they used to, and they recently put Sri Lanka in their place with a 3-0 demolition in Sri Lanka," Atherton wrote in his column in the 'Sunday Telegraph'.

"Nevertheless, I feel India's incredibly strong batting will hold sway and, under pressure, Australia do not play the turning ball as well as they might. India is the hardest place to win. For this series, my money is on the home team," he said.