Virat Kohli believes his India team have the ability to provide a stern test for in-form England in the three-match Vitality IT20 series.
The India captain, speaking in his first press conference of a tour which will stretch into mid-September and also include five Tests and three one-day internationals, was in upbeat mood at Old Trafford on Monday lunchtime.
Asked on the eve of the Twenty20 series opener if the tourists are confident they can provide tougher opposition for England than Australia managed last month, he said: "We definitely are.
"We believe in our abilities, and we obviously have a lot of Twenty20 experience.
Kohli added: "We've just come off the IPL [Indian Premier League] and a couple of games against Ireland as well - where the team has looked great."
Depleted Australia proved no match for England, losing all six white-ball matches - culminating in Twenty20 defeat at Edgbaston last week.
Kohli added: "We expect England to come hard at us, and we certainly want to play some positive and hard-fought cricket. It's going to be an exciting series, and we believe we have the side to put up a great fight - and if we win the crucial moments then anything can happen."
England are 4/6 with Sky Bet to win on Tuesday with India 6/5.
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