Stylish middle-order batsman V V S Laxman [Images] on Tuesday said a good start would be the key to India's improved performance in the Test series against South Africa beginning later this month.

"Whenever we have had a good opening start, we have done well and that would absolutely be the key for the Tests," said Laxman after nets at Sedgars Park in Potchefstroom.

The Hyderabadi had no doubt that the Indian side, which lost the recent ODI series 4-0, is capable of doing far better than what they have done on the tour so far.

"India have the potential to do well for we have a lot of match-winners. We can also take a leaf out of our overseas performance in recent years, particularly on the tour to Australia in 2003-04 and then against the West Indies [Images] this year."

Laxman stressed that his focus is now entirely on the Test series and the possibility of leading India in a Test in case of Rahul Dravid's [Images] absence is farthest removed from his mind.

"I hope and pray that Rahul is fit for the first Test -- and I am sure he would be. He is absolutely the key to our batting. Leading India is an honour for any cricketer but I hope it doesn't come to that and Rahul is ready for the role,"

Dravid, who held a bat in his hand for the first time today since chipping his right middle finger in the third one-day international in Cape Town on November 26, is likely to turn up for the first Test even if it would mean going against medical advice.

Laxman did mention how happy he is on being selected for India's one-day team after being consistently ignored in recent past.

"It was a very happy moment for me though at the moment my sight is trained on the Tests ahead."

The right-hander admitted that the team management might have had a point in doubting his fitness but lately he had been working very hard on it.

"The team management felt that I wasn't fit enough and I have worked hard in recent times to overcome the issue."

Laxman preferred to say nice things about coach Greg Chappell [Images] even though the Australian has not been too kind about his fitness in the past.

"Greg has tremendous experience as a batsman and he has helped me enormously with his inputs in batting. Such kind of experience is rare to find."

Laxman also did not forget Sourav Ganguly [Images] and what the former Indian captain could do for the team in the series beginning on December 15.

"Sourav has been a tremendous batsman and we expect him to do well -- why him we expect everyone to come good in the coming weeks."

Despite playing some of the most elegant and critical knocks for India and rated as one of the shrewdest captains in domestic circuit, Laxman has not got a lot of recognition coming his way but he is least peeved about it.

"I am happy with what I have got. I have played 77 Tests and 80 one-dayers for India and not many in Hyderabad have managed so. So I am grateful for whatever honour has come my way."