India must match Aussies' aggression, says Laxman

Senior batsman V.V.S. Laxman said Sunday that India must match Australia for attitude and aggression in the pursuit of their first series win in Australia.

Laxman said attitude, rather than any particular strategy, would be key against the Australians in the opening Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Australia have not lost a Test series at home for 14 years and have a reputation for crushing the confidence of their touring opponents.

"The most important thing is you have to play aggressive cricket against them," Laxman told reporters.

"Whenever we've played aggressive cricket against them, we have done well ... you have to play to your potential.

"The moment you give them a slight edge, they'll walk over you, so it's important you just come out and play your natural game of cricket, like we do."

But Laxman said that did not have to extend to the verbal niggle that marked Australia's one-day series in India two months ago.

"It's not necessary, it depends on individuals -- every individual will be different, it's just how you play your cricket," he said.

"Especially your mindset -- if you've got a lot of self-belief, I think you'll do well in Australia."

India have won just four Tests in eight Australian tours, but pushed Steve Waugh's Australians all the way in the drawn 1-1 last series tour here in 2003-04.

Laxman plans to have a key role in the four-Test series.

"All the batsmen are supposed to get runs, whenever we've done well abroad, our batting scored huge runs, especially in the first innings," he said.

"I want to contribute in that and the most important thing is, play to the situation and try and play some match-winning knocks, which will help the team win the series."

Laxman has scored 5,292 runs at 44.10 in 86 Tests.