Speaking with media in Siliguri, West Bengal, Ganguly said: “The Indian team is a good team. It is an extraordinary team on its home soil. Abroad they have not played that well in the last few years but on the home ground, they are an extraordinary team. It is difficult for any team to defeat them.”

England will play the first Test against India in Ahmedabad from November 15.

Ganguly said India would have to beat England on home soil to avenge the four nil rout suffered in England in 2011.

“The revenge is not complete as we were defeated on English soil. The revenge would be complete once England team is defeated on its own soil, as we were defeated in 2007 and 2011. India shall play well and they are the favourites,” he said.

The former Indian skipper further said India would have to rely on spinners for this Test series.

“The bowling should be good, but in India there should be spinners as the ball can swing more. India has three good spinners like Harbhajan, Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha,” said Ganguly.