"We are all ready to go," Gilchrist told reporters as his team prepared for the keenly awaited four-match series that has caught the imagination of cricket lovers around the world.

"We've toured India and Sri Lanka and we feel very comfortable with our game plans and how we approach the spinners.

"All the guys are looking forward to the Test. There are no real demons out there for us now."

The world champions consider India the 'last frontier' where they have not won a series since 1969 and lost five of the last seven Tests.

The most memorable contest between the two came in 2001 when the hosts rode on Venkatsai Laxman's 281 in the second Test and a 32-wicket series haul by off-spinner Harbhajan Singh to stun Steve Waugh's world-beaters.

India, who lost the first Test inside four days and trailed by 274 runs in the second, fought back to win the series 2-1 in the last session of the third and final Test in Madras.

Harbhajan will once again carry India's hopes along with seasoned leg-spinner Anil Kumble, who needs three wickets to join the exclusive 400-wicket club.

Gilchrist, standing in for the injured Ricky Ponting for the first two Tests, said his team was better prepared now to tackle the hosts.

The flamboyant wicketkeeper-batsman was delighted at his side's totals of 302-7 declared and 207-1 in the three-day practice match at Mumbai on a wicket where the ball turned and jumped viciously.

"We had a quality time out in the middle against the spinners," he said of the game against Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai which ended in a draw on Saturday.

"Now it depends on how we take this lesson into the Test series.

"We have come with a game plan on tackling the Indian spinners. It depends on how we execute that plan."

Left-handed Justin Langer beat the stifling hot weather to make 108 while opening partner Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn and Michael Clarke hit half-centuries.

"It was good to start the tour like this," Gilchrist said.

"We lost half a day due to rains, otherwise there could have been a result. Still we had a few good days in Mumbai."

Clarke looks certain to make his Test debut, while Simon Katich is likely to move to the pivotal number three place left vacant by Ponting.

Particularly heartening for the tourists was the form shown by premier fast bowler Glenn McGrath, who missed the home series against India and the tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year through injury.

The 34-year-old was his usual accurate and miserly self, picking up 4-25 in 21.2 overs, and ended speculation he may be replaced by Brett Lee for the first Test at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here.

McGrath, Test cricket's fourth highest wicket-taker with 440 victims, will join Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz and spinner Shane Warne in a formidable attack to browbeat the Indians.

The New South Wales paceman is three matches away from his 100th Test, a feat he should accomplish in the third Test of the current series at Nagpur.

"Glenn is coming out of one-day cricket and it was good to see him settle into a nice groove," Gilchrist said. "It bodes well for us."