India 'really motivated' to win Australia series – Ishant Sharma

There are few achievements in cricket that have eluded India over the years – and one of those unscaled peaks remains a Test series win in Australia. India have won just five Tests in Australia and till date a drawn series is the best result they have come away with.

Despite suffering Test series losses in South Africa and England this year, India are confident of setting that record straight.

"The biggest thing right now is to win the series and that's what everybody is focusing on right now," Sharma said on Wednesday, 28 November. "We are not even thinking about personal performances. Just one aim, that is to win a series in Australia."

For India to get into the groove of things ahead of the first Test, they must try and make the most of the four-day warm-up game against Cricket Australia XI, staring Thursday.

"I think (the practice game) is pretty serious for us, because we have to set the tone," Sharma said. "You know the conditions. Obviously playing here after a long time, you need to get into the groove, get used to the conditions, and I think it's a pretty important game for everyone."

The absence of Steve Smith and David Warner could make life easier for the Indian bowlers as they try to get the better of the hosts, but Sharma insisted that India wouldn't take things lightly. "Whoever is representing their country, they are good enough and that's why they're representing the country. We don't take anything lightly."

India certainly have the kind of pace battery that could make an impact in the Tests. Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah are all highly-skilled bowlers pacemen, and India's selectors will have a happy headache determining who among them make the cut for the first Test.

Sharma said there's healthy competition in the ranks, and that egged the bowlers on to do better.

"If you're representing the country the pressure is there," he said. "It's a great opportunity as well because you have a healthy competition in the team, there are a lot of fast bowlers coming up. If you are not doing well, then any time, you can sit behind and watch the game."

The first Test of the four-match series begins in Adelaide on 6 December.