Gautam Gambhir has dismissed suggestions that India have the edge over Australia ahead of the forthcoming Test series.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting arrived in India on Monday for the four-Test Border-Gavaskar series with a team that has been labelled inexperienced and weak.

Since winning in India in 2004, the Australians have lost the likes of Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Damien Martyn, Justin Langer and Jason Gillespie to retirement.

But opening batsman Gambhir believes Australia will remain a difficult team to beat.

"If you look at the Australian bowling attack, it is pretty similar to the one we played against when we toured there," Gambhir told CNN-IBN.

"The only difference is that they don't have the experience of a spinner such as Shane Warne or Stuart MacGill.

"In any case when you play against a team like Australia, you have to play to the best of your ability.

"They are tough to beat and they always play to the best of their ability.

"You just cannot think of beating them by playing one or two sessions well.

"You have to be at the top of your game throughout the five days."

Gambhir was one of few Indian players who came away with some credit in the Test series away in Sri Lanka in July and August this year.

The 26-year-old scored 310 runs at an average of 51.66 in the three-Test series which India lost 2-1.

"Hitting 300 runs in three Test matches is very satisfying, but I still think I should have got more runs," he added.

"You don't get these kind of opportunities when you're playing Test cricket.

"Test cricket is all about settling in and getting big runs - as many as possible."

The left-hander said the runs he scored in Sri Lanka was a boost to his confidence especially when heading into a series against Australia.

"When you have runs behind your back, it gives you a little more confidence," he added.

"Every little bit of confidence is important when you're heading into a series against a team like Australia."

The last series between the two teams was laced in acrimony with India at one point threatening to return home from Australia midway through the tour.

Gambhir said the Indians were unlikely to concede any quarter to the Australians this time around.

"You don't want to be playing a weak opposition. Australia is the toughest series for any cricketer," he said.

"You have to be fully ready mentally to take anything on.

"You should be prepared for everything that comes at you and at times give it back."