Like most of the touring sides arriving in Australia in the last few years, the Indian team seem to be under siege before a single ball has been bowled in the Test series.
 A whitewash would be a fitting farewell to Steve Waugh |
Having won only six Test matches of their last 67 away from home, India, according to many sections of the media and Australian public, seem to be rank underdogs for Stephen Waugh's last series as a Test player and captain.
From my point of view the major difference between India and the other countries who we have been able to beat over the last four or five years is that this Indian team boasts a number of players who will leave the game as all-time greats.
Because I never use the term 'great' lightly, this gives them a distinct advantage over some of the other nations currently playing international cricket.
Great players become great champions over time because they are able to compete successfully over a long period of time in all sorts of varying conditions.
Sachin Tendulkar is statistically peerless in the modern game, Anil Kumble is a world-class leg-spinner and Rahul Dravid and Harbhajan Singh are on their way to earning the title of outstanding international cricketers.
 |  Australia versus India is eagerly awaited by millions of people around the world |
Add to this list a strong and talented leader in Sourav Ganguly and a top order batsman who scored 281 against us - VVS Laxman - in Calcutta a couple of years ago and it would be fair to say that we won't be taking India lightly over the next month.
We have plenty to play for, not least the desire to give Steve Waugh the farewell he would expect from his team.
Since he became captain he has publicly and privately expressed his motive to win every Test we play, which means series whitewashes are the ultimate goal in every series.
This has been achieved many times in the last five years and it would be a shame not to do it again for our inspirational captain.
 Australia will not be under-estimating Sourav Ganguly's side |
Judging by our preparation over the last three days, every player in the squad shares this same motivation. Training has been very sharp and the intensity is at the high level that has been set by the team going into important series like this one.
Back from a ruthless triangular series in India our one-day players look confident and assured, while Stephen, Stuart MacGill and myself have all gained valuable domestic match practice over the last month.
Talk has been rife about the green grassy pitch here in Brisbane and while the Indians may have raised a few eyebrows when they first saw the wicket, experience tells me there should be plenty of runs at this fabulous Test match venue.
Although we played two Tests against Zimbabwe in October, the Brisbane Test is traditionally the first one of the summer and there is always a real air of excitement.
Australia versus India is eagerly awaited by millions of people around the world and considering we were beaten last time we played each other there is optimum motivation for us to step up a gear over the next month.
Bring it on, as they say.
MMIX
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