Ashwin is the Don Bradman of bowling, says Steve Waugh

"Ashwin is like the (Don) Bradman of bowling at the moment. His record is equivalent to what Bradman did with batting and he's a pretty handy batsman as well. He's the player I think we have to overcome if we can do that we have a chance," Waugh told the media in Monaco today, reported TOI.

While Waugh accepted that the home side were one of the strongest teams he had ever seen, he rubbished Ganguly's prediction of India whitewashing Australia as "foolish".

"Sourav is a bit optimistic and I'll challenge him on the quote that Australia is going to be beaten 4-0."

"It's foolish to write a side off like that. I think anything can happen. India hasn't seen a lot of our players. I believe (Mitchell) Starc is the best quick bowler in the world and (Josh) Hazlewood is right up there. The spinners - jury's out a bit there but Lyon is a very good competitor," Waugh said.

"Sourav is a bit optimistic and I'll challenge him on the quote that Australia is going to be beaten 4-0."

The former Australian captain is among a select few players who have a higher batting average in foreign conditions. In his 168 Tests for Australia, Waugh averaged 55.85 abroad while at home he finished his career with a respectable 47.58. The 51-year-old attributed his success on the road to being able to bat without any pressure - a luxury he was not awarded at home.

"Everyone's form away from home has been dismal and I don't know why that is. Everyone plays a lot around the world, we have neutral umpires, no excuses not to play well away from home. I always used to enjoy playing overseas and felt there was less pressure, away from all the expectations of friends and family as well, you can tend to relax when you are playing away from home," Waugh explained.

Waugh also praised Indian captain Virat Kohli for his leadership style calling it "contagious". 

"In Indian conditions, they are very hard to beat. Kohli's leadership is contagious and players rally around him. Virat feels like they can do anything. He's like a big warrior and feels like he can do anything. This new Team India can achieve anything," Waugh added.

When asked if he had any advice for the current crop of Australian players heading for Indian shores he replied, "You go to India and you have to be positive, England should have won that first Test and from then the momentum totally changed. If things start going against you it's really hard to change the tide, you got to stay calm under pressure."