Sriram, Panesar helping us out, says Lehmann

"We have taken the advice of Monty and Sriram on how to play the Indian spinners but they (India) also have some quality fast bowlers too," he said.

About his team's bowling attack, Smith was happy it has the right mix and singled out Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc as the two bowlers who reverse swing the ball well. "I have a good mix of bowlers. The guys have been working hard and learning to adapt to ways to bowl in these conditions. It's totally different to back home in Australia.

"It's important here to make sure you bowl in consistent areas and learn to use natural variations in the wickets. It's a big series and hopefully the guys can build up enough pressure, get balls in the right areas and get rewards," he said.

"Reverse swing is incredibly important. Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc are very good reverse swing bowlers. Starc is a big player for us. We saw how well he did on slow wickets in Sri Lanka, with reverse swing and new ball as well. No doubt he's a dangerous player for us.

"India have some incredibly good batters and they (bowlers) are very excited about the challenge," he added. Smith, who has taken over the mantle of captaincy from Michael Clarke, said he was slowly learning the intricacies of the job and the stint in Sri Lanka last year, where they were blanked 3-0, helped him in this endeavour.

"For me it's about understanding different times in the game to attack or defend, to try and keep things tight and when you get a sniff, go for it. Captaincy in India is about knowing the right period - when to take the foot off the pedal and when to attack. I think I learnt that in Sri Lanka.

"I have learnt a fair bit on the way. You probably learn more from losing than in winning. It has been a roller-coaster ride last year with regards to the result. This team has come a long way," he said.

"Obviously I have played there quite a bit and I know that place quite well although I have not played a Test match. it's going to be different. Still it will be quite nice to get out there and hopefully I can spend a lot more time in the middle out there," he said about the opening game in Pune which is hosting the first-ever Test.