.His successful stint earned him another term with the men in blue as the manager for the seven-match series against Australia, and he exuded confidence that the team has the wherewithal to survive the Antipodean onslaught.

"This team has the skill level to match the Australians. We can expect a keen contest in the series and we are focused on our target. Personally, it was a challenge for me in the Twenty20 World Cup. It was such a big event, I have never been with the senior team before, but it went very well for me. Definitely, this series is a bigger challenge for me. As I said when you are with the Indian team there is always pressure and you have to handle that pressure," Rajput said.

He said the return of three senior pros — Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly — would strengthen the team.

"Definitely, it (the return) will boost the team because they are players of repute. Their presence will also help the younger players in the team because whenever they need any help they can approach them for their advice. Sachin, Sourav, and Rahul are tremendous cricketers and their inclusion will surely help," he said.

But Rajput found it hard to break away from the memories of a soul-stirring triumph in the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa. He was confident that the title win will go a long way in boosting Indian cricket.

"I think this win would do good things because being world champions is a big thing for Indian cricket and fans. I think the best gift we can give to our cricket loving fans is the Twenty20 World Cup. People have now forgotten about the World Cup debacle in the West Indies. This young team is the future of Indian cricket because the bench strength is very strong," he said. Rajput identified the desire to win as the one element that had driven India all the way along in South Africa.

"The team spirit and the hunger for success and, of course, our self-belief, I think made the difference for us. It was an amazing victory because there was contribution from everybody and that helped us surge ahead of the others."

He was delighted with performance of greenhorns like Rohit Sharma in the team. "I had a chat with Rohit Sharma and told him that this was an opportunity for him. I told him that he needs to think positive because he has never played in England. I also told him go out there and give it your best. I told him that the reason he is in the team is because he is talented and among the best 15 players in the country and that that was the time to prove your talent. He did that."

Rajput had a word of praise for comeback boys Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan. "I think they both were very hungry to go out and perform. Since Harbhajan had done well in English county cricket, he carried that momentum into the Twenty20 World Cup and bowled extremely well throughout the tournament.