Boucher expects friendly fire

Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher is confident neither India nor South Africa will take their sledging too far when the three-Test series gets under way in Chennai on Wednesday.

India's recent tour of Australia was marred by several spats between the two sides, which led India skipper Anil Kumble to declare "only one team played in the spirit of the game".

Boucher, who holds the record for most dismissals in Tests, feels sledging will again play a key role in both teams' plans, but believes the players will know where to draw the line.

He said: "We haven't got a briefing (from within the team). We're all mature enough to realise what we can and cannot do.

"You talk about sledging. I don't think that's ever going to completely leave the game. You've got two very competitive sides playing for their country - it's always going to be there.

"So long as everything is kept above board and played in the right spirit, there shouldn't be a problem."

The 31-year-old insisted he would have no problem with India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who successfully appealed against his ban for racially abusing Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds.

Boucher added: "It's about a competitive nature on the field. I'm fighting hard for my country, he's fighting hard for his.

"Both of us have never overstepped the mark and hopefully that will continue in this series."

Despite being riddled with controversy, India's tour of Australia ended in success as they triumphed in the Commonwealth Bank one-day series.

And it was a particularly pleasing tour for opener Virender Sehwag, who was recalled for the last two Tests of the series, having being dropped for previous series against England, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

He hit 151 in the drawn final Test in Adelaide, a performance which helped to seal his place in the side against South Africa.

The 29-year-old is expected to open alongside Wasim Jaffer on Wednesday and has been working with mental conditioning coach Paddy Upton.

Sehwag said: "He dealt with aspects related to mental toughness.

"As a batsman, there are certain things you cannot discuss with others, but talking to him helps in finding a solution. What I spoke is confidential, but it's been very useful.

"When you play cricket for so long, you tend to forget certain things, so it's good to talk and get feedback. It helped in preparation and motivation."

Despite having spent three months in Australia, Sehwag does not believe the team will have difficulty acclimatising to conditions in Chennai.

"Both tracks are bouncy, just that wickets were faster there," he said. "We've grown up here, so it shouldn't be too difficult."

The first Test will be former South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten's first time in official charge of India.

And Sehwag believes Kirsten has already made a significant impact on the India players.

He said: "The biggest difference between having a coach now and not having one earlier, has been in man-management and managing time.

"A lot of time would get wasted in practice sessions earlier. It doesn't anymore.

"We all have specific roles and targets, and cannot get back to the dressing room unless we meet them. He's done a lot of homework for each player."