NEW DELHI, Feb 26: Indian vice-captain Rahul Dravid believes that cricket series against arch rivals Pakistan "brings out the best in us."With Sachin Tendulkar struggling on account of injury and Sourav Ganguly's form far from consistent , it is International Cricket Council's Cricketer of 2004 Dravid who has held Indian batting together in recent series.

On India's chances in upcoming series against Pakistan, he said "every Test you win is special, whether it is winning in Delhi, with Anil (Kumble) taking ten wickets, or in Multan or in Rawapindi."

"I guess wickets in India have tended to be a little low and slow lately. Hopefully, we will get some good ones in series against Pakistan."

With Pakistan's fastest bowler Shoaib Akhtar ruled out of Test matches onus will now be on Danish Kaneria to perform. How do you rate him as a bowler?

"Well, he is a good bowler. I think he has a bit of bounce and turn. It will be interesting to see how much he has learnt since we last played him. It will be interesting to see how he bowls on Indian wickets. Danish doesn't spin googly a long way; he probably relies a lot more on bounce than on turn.

"Also, wickets here tend to be a lot slower than ones in Australia. Ones in Australia tend to give you bounce and turn, especially for leg-spinners, which, sometimes, Indian wickets don't give you," he said.

"You always want to play against best in the world. Good competition tends to bring out best in you. Pakistan brings out the best in us as well. I think they are good opposition. We really respect them and they play a brand of cricket that is probably similar to ours. There is so much interest and awareness about series that you can't but put your best foot forward."

Indian vice-captain said of Pakistani batsmen, Inzamanul Haq and Yousuf Youhana are probably their best players, but Salman Butt is batting very well at the top of order and looks "very good. He got a hundred against us in one of ODIs. But when Inzamam and Yousuf get runs Pakistan usually do very well. So dealing well with them is going to be very important."

"We have played a lot of cricket against them and we have some ideas in place. But you can have all ideas in the world, but quality batsmen are quality batsmen. You might get them out a couple of times, but if they are quality batsmen then they will find a way."-PPI