India coach Gary Kirsten has told his players not to get distracted by the controversy surrounding the retirement of five senior players.

Reports said that the board wanted Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid to start planning their retirements by December. But Kirsten said the team should not get distracted ahead of an important series against Australia.

"I think we should move on from that," South African Kirsten told a news conference on Friday.

"We need to focus on the team and get on with the Test series."

"India have got the best record against Australia and we have got a good idea of what we need to do, game-wise as well as mentally," Kirsten added.

World number one, Australia won a four-Test series 2-1 four years ago in India to record their first series victory on Indian soil in 35 years.