Vice-captain Rahul Dravid says India's chances of registering an overseas series triumph in New Zealand will largely depend on the showing of the batsmen.

"Batting will truly be the key. If we can bat well and put ourselves in a position like we did in Headingley, our bowlers can take 20 wickets in these conditions," said the prolific middle-order batsman, after practice at Basin Reserve, the venue of the first Test match, which begins on Thursday.

India won the Headingley Test this summer in England with substantial contributions from the batsmen. The top three batsmen -- Sachin Tendulkar, captain Sourav Ganguly and Dravid -- slammed centuries as the visitors posted over 600 runs before the bowlers took control of the match to fashion an incredible innings victory.

However, India have failed to win a series outside the sub-continent since 1986, when they beat England 2-0.

Dravid said the bowlers would be looking forward to take full advantage of the seaming conditions.

"Sometimes we struggle to take 20 wickets on a flat deck, but when it seams around, we back ourselves to take 20 wickets," he said.

"We are better equipped to win matches abroad. We have won five Tests abroad in the last 18 months. It is an area of our game we have tried to work upon."

Fast bowlers are likely to dominate the first Test on a Basin Reserve pitch which is difficult to distinguish from the thick grass around the park.

"It is all a matter of shot selection -- a question of tightening up your technique. It is basically a state of mind -- what to play and what to avoid in prevailing conditions.

"But the guys did well in England where conditions are similar to here in a lot of ways. We have to do like what we did at Trent Bridge and Headingley, though it might seam a bit more here initially."

The stylish batsman said the Indian team is keen to do well on this tour as it would be kind of showing their own appreciation to coach John Wright, who played for New Zealand in 82 Tests during the 1970s and 80s.

"We want to do well. We would really like to do so. John [Wright] has been good for us. If we could win a series here, it would be good for him and millions of supporters of Indian cricket back home."

Dravid said Wright's experience of the conditions, especially at Basin Reserve, where he scored three Test hundreds, could be extremely useful in preparing the Indian batsmen for the coming series.

"He has spoken to a lot of players about it. He has had a lot of success in these conditions and knows exactly what it takes to succeed here," he said.

Dravid, who is in the midst of a fabulous run with the bat, being the leading scorer in the current calendar year, with 1226 runs from 14 matches, at an average of 64.53, and five centuries, including four on the trot, sounded modest when told he would be the key to the Indian batting in the series.

"I don't think so. We have got a good batting line-up all around. Everyone has been in good touch this year. I don't think I am the key. If we really have to win this series, a lot of guys need to contribute. It is never really a one-man show."

Dravid had an outstanding tour of New Zealand in 1998-99, scoring 321 runs from two Tests at an average of 107, with centuries in both the innings of the drawn final game at Hamilton.

"I really enjoyed my trip last year. New Zealand is a lovely place to play cricket. If I can get runs it will be an added bonus."

He said he wants to end the year on a high note, but added that winning the series is more important than anything else.

"It's been a good year so far and it would be nice to finish it off well. But, more importantly, if we can win the series it would be fantastic.

"It would not be easy though as New Zealand are a good side, especially in these conditions. They really do well at home. It is a series between two evenly matched sides and whoever plays better cricket would win."

Dravid offered a word of praise for New Zealand spearhead Shane Bond, but confessed he hasn't faced either of the three main New Zealand medium-fast bowlers.

"The only bowler I have faced is Daniel Vettori and not the other guys. But in these conditions, all of them would be a handful.

"But Bond would be interesting. I think he has bowled well of the little bit we have seen of him. It would be a good challenge. Having said that, we back ourselves and our bowlers to do well in these conditions."

With 5483 runs from 67 Test matches, at an average of 54.29, and 14 centuries and 27 fifties, Dravid is now the sixth highest scorer in the all-time list of Indian batsmen, behind Sunil Gavaskar (10125 runs in 125 Tests), Sachin Tendulkar (8711 in 103), Dilip Vengsarkar (6868 in 116), Mohammad Azharuddin (6215 in 99) and Gundappa Viswanath (6080 in 91).

"As an international batsman and as a young boy growing up, you always want to do well at this level. It is a huge honour to be playing at this level.

"Every time you walk on to the park to play for your country, you consider yourself lucky as there are so many people who want to do this job.

"I just go out and try to do my best. If it works out, well, it's good; if it doesn't you try out another day," he said.