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Dhoni - No rift in the squad

Image: Dhoni: confident

Mahendra Singh Dhoni says India's Test squad has not been split by the omission of Sourav Ganguly from the one-dayers.

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Mahendra Singh Dhoni is confident that India can claim a series-levelling victory against Australia in Adelaide. India were soundly beaten in the opening two games but responded with a 72-run success in the third Test at Perth to leave the series 2-1 heading into the decider, which starts on Thursday. Dhoni, who is Anil Kumble's vice-captain for Tests but leads the limited-overs team, does not believe morale has been damaged by the recent announcement of the one-day squad for the triangular series that follows the Tests. Both Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly - regulars in the Test XI - have been left out of the one-day squad, leading to suggestions of a rift in the camp. "It has not affected us in any way," Dhoni said of Dravid and Ganguly's omission from the one-dayers. "We are back in the practice session, we trained in the morning."

Moral victory

On India's performance during their tour, he added: "It's a moral victory, coming to Australia and not letting them beat us comfortably. "We have been playing tough cricket for the last month. It's good for the team's morale and everyone who has been part of the side. "It's a very happy unit we have at the moment. There is enough pressure just by playing for India and so it's very important that you enjoy your game. "Our bowlers have bowled consistently and encouraged the batsmen to go for the drive. We're getting the breakthroughs at the right times." India have fond memories of their previous visit to the Adelaide Oval in December 2003 when they won by four wickets. With the pitch expected to provide its usual run-feast for batsmen, India are set to recall off-spinner Harbhajan Singh to their starting XI. Irfan Pathan or Ishant Sharma are the most likely to make way for the return of Harbhajan from the side that won in Perth.