How much can you talk about India's batting confusion, the bowling struggle, the team's inability to make maximum use of the middle overs, Greg Chappell's [Images] theory of experimentation and Irfan Pathan's [Images] woes on the eve of a big tournament like the Champions Trophy?

Everyone recognizes the problems; the question is whether and how the team can shed them.

India face England [Images] in the opening match of the Champions Trophy at the Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur on Sunday, carrying the excess baggage of expectation and cynicism. Just six months ago it could do no wrong; they were the happy, shining bunch, demolishing opponents.

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But the big wave of success crashed on the Caribbean shores and team hasn't been able to gain momentum since. The problems look to have multiplied during the rain-drenched fiasco in Sri Lanka [Images] and festival cricket in Kuala Lumpur.

That's the challenge India has going into the competition -- to turn the cynics into believers. And Jaipur could be the beginning.

"It has been a shaky start to the season but we are not looking too much into it. We have only played two complete games in place of the scheduled eight," said India captain Rahul Dravid [Images] in Jaipur on Saturday. "I'm sure if we get on a roll early on we'll have a long run in the tournament."

The ghost of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's [Images] 183 against Sri Lanka, which included 10 sixes, still haunt the stadium and the possibility of the explosive Kevin Pietersen [Images] and Andrew Flintoff [Images] loom large. But it may not turn out to be the batting feast everyone's expecting.

On the parched re-laid strip in Jaipur, India may well decide to field two spinners and abandon their five-bowler theory for the day. Ajit Agarkar [Images] and Munaf Patel [Images] bowled well in patches in Kuala Lumpur but none of the Indian pacers are spitting fire and this track could further deter fielding a full-fledged pace attack.

"The wicket was re-laid two-three months ago. So it is difficult to predict," said Dravid, not sounding very enthusiastic about the playing surface. "It will be interesting to see how it will play. Obviously, it is a lot different from the one we played on the last time."

Dinesh Mongia's 63 against Australia in the last league game of the DLF Cup could help him into the team, where the middle-order wears an unsettled look. His innocuous-looking, but effective left-arm spin is also an advantage against England.

Dravid also added that facing the Indian spinners still remains the biggest challenge for the visiting English team.

England's recent past in one-day internationals does not inspire confidence; the last time they won an ODI series was in November 2003 in Bangladesh. Their losses against India in India (1-5) and Sri Lanka in England (0-5) would also play on the back of their mind.

Finalists at last year's Champions Trophy, England have been forced to chop and change due to player injuries. Though the team does not look strong on paper, Dravid is not ready to dismiss them as "soft opponents".

"There are no easy games in this tournament. Any of these eight teams are potential champions and if I may look further, I'd say any of these teams are potential contenders for the World Cup next year."

A huge banner over the south pavilion reads: 'Rajasthan: The greatest show on earth.' The beautifully lit Vidhan Bhavan and Vidyut Bhavan that surround the west end add grandeur to setting.

India have stressed on experimentation. England have been, at times, forced into it. The team which overcomes past failures and settles into a fighting unit will call the shots. Sunday will see who puts up a better show for the packed house in Jaipur.