Australian batting legend and former skipper Steve Waugh thinks a ''favourable'' schedule could see the Indians doing well on their upcoming tour Down Under.

''They have got a pretty good draw really,'' Waugh was quoted as saying by Melbourne's Herald-Sun newspaper.

Waugh, who has strong personal and business ties with India, says the Indians will not be pushovers in the four-Test series, which starts on a batting-friendly pitch in Melbourne on December 26.

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Two other venues, Adelaide and Sydney, are traditionally considered to be more favourable to spinners. India is likely to have an edge at these two centres as they have two world-class spinners in the shape of captain Anil Kumble [Images] and Harbhajan Singh [Images].

''I think there is some hope (of an Indian victory) because they are playing at two spinner-friendly venues, Adelaide and Sydney,'' Waugh said.

But the Australian veteran put the onus on the Indian bowlers to bowl out the world's best Test team twice to secure rare victories. He predicted that India may even play three spinners at Adelaide and Sydney.

''They will have three good spinners in their squad and that will give them the chance to take 20 wickets,'' he said.

''It seems in the past decade in Australia they haven't been able to take 20 wickets. It doesn't matter how many good batters they have got, they can't win a Test unless they can take 20 wickets.

'They have to pick a team capable of taking 20 wickets, otherwise they'll get thrashed,'' the Australian icon added.

India have only four victories from 32 Tests in Australia.

The South Asians will be banking on their strong batting line-up to try and increase their tally this southern summer. But Waugh feels it is the bowling that will have to be extraordinary to make an impression on the best team in the world.

''It really depends on how they bowlers go. I think their batters have got enough experience to get them runs. If they bring an attack capable of taking wickets they are a chance,'' he said.