"I don't think there is much to choose between the two sides," Ganguly said in an interview as his team prepared to clash with Inzamamul Haq's tourists in three Tests and six one-day internationals.

"The key to winning is to keep your cool amidst the pressure that goes with an India-Pakistan encounter. Fans expect you to win against Pakistan more than any other team.

"But I will try to ensure my team is not burdened by unnecessary pressure. I want them to remain calm all the time and just concentrate on the task at hand."

Ganguly, India's most successful captain with 18 Test wins, scoffed at suggestions that Pakistan's less experienced team without injured fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar would be easy fodder for the hosts.

"I don't think anybody is a favourite," he said. "Pakistan are a very good side. Batsmen like Inzamam and Yousuf Youhana are not to be taken lightly.

"And just because Shoaib has injury problems does not mean Pakistan's attack is weak. People like Mohammad Sami and Danish Kaneria can be quite devastating on their day.

"We will have to play very well to beat them even though we are playing at home. It is going to be an awesome series."

Home advantage counts for little. The last two Test series between the old foes have been won by the visitors.

Pakistan won two of the three Tests they played in India in 1999, including the Asian Test championship match in Kolkata. Ganguly's men inflicted a 2-1 defeat in their first series on Pakistan soil in 15 years last year.

Ganguly admitted that four consecutive one-day losses to Pakistan since August -- in Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, England and India -- still rankled, but he was not unduly worried.

"Yes, those defeats are very much on our minds," he said. "I confess we did not play well and that's why we lost not only to Pakistan but also to other teams.

"But that was at the start of the season and we have gradually improved since then.

"We may have lost the home series to Australia, but we did win the last Test against them, then beat both South Africa and Bangladesh.

"I know we start afresh against Pakistan, but it is important to make winning a habit."

Ganguly brushed aside suggestions that the upcoming series, which starts with the first Test at Mohali from March 8, was going to be the biggest of his career.

"Not at all," he said. "The World Cup is a huge tournament for any captain and we reached the final last time in South Africa.

"Then we went to Australia and held the world champions to a 1-1 draw. Not many captains have returned from Australia and survived.

"We toured Pakistan last year and won both the Test and one-day series. That was the first time an Indian team had done that in Pakistan.

"I am sure I would have been removed as captain if we had lost in Pakistan. Those were bigger series than this one."

Ganguly was convinced cricket played a big role in promoting peace between the two warring neighbours.

"We don't have to look beyond the last series in Pakistan to realise how much cricket builds bridges," he said.

"Thousands of Indians crossed the border to watch the matches. The hospitality in Pakistan was unbelievable and this is something I will always cherish.

"There was not a single unsavoury incident on that tour. Cricket is a passion in both countries. But more importantly, people on both sides have realised it is just a sport and not war.

"I hope Pakistan enjoy the same hospitality in India."