Sourav Ganguly warned his India team-mates against complacency after watching Australia struggle in the final warm-up match before the Border-Gavaskar Test Series.
The tourists failed to fire with both the ball and the bat in the drawn match with the Yuvraj Singh-led Board President's XI, which finished on Sunday.
The President's XI amassed 371 runs on the opening day of the four-day match before a desperate last-wicket stand of 96 featuring Michael Hussey, who finished unbeaten on 126, and No.11 Stuart Clark helped the tourists avoid the follow-on.
But Ganguly, a veteran of 109 Tests, said he expected Australia to play its usual brand of hard cricket when the first Test gets under way on Thursday.
"It's still a fantastic side," the former India captain said of Ponting's team.
"I don't think we should get excited by the result of the practice match."
"They'll be a completely different kettle of fish once the Tests start."
"They are all fantastic players and you can't make a plan for just one of them."
"You have to be ready for anything."
Ganguly said he was not surprised by the inclusion of spinner Cameron White, who replaced the injured Bryce McGain.
"White can bat a bit as well and he also has the experience of playing in India," added Ganguly.
"But pace surely is their strength, and they'll go in with four pace bowlers, which will include Shane Watson."
Ganguly's selection in the team was shrouded in controversy and the 36-year-old left-hander admits he will be under pressure.
"As long as I'm wearing the India shirt, I know the pressure will be on me," he said.
"And let me tell you, all those players who have been wearing this shirt for a long time know that."
"We're here to do that and nothing else matters."
"At the end of the day all that counts are the number of runs that are on the board."