While bowlers the world over start trembling at the prospect of an Australian series, Harbhajan Singh relishes the challenge. That's because the ace India off-spinner, who made his Test debut in 1998 against the World champions, has enjoyed some of his best moments against them.
As the Aussies ruled world cricket in the last decade, it was the Indians who were a constant niggle for them, the off-spinner being one of the key reasons. Fifty-six wickets in eight Tests, at an average of 24.17, against the best batting line-up in the world proves that the Harbhajan has enjoyed enormous success bowling against them.
So what is the secret of his success against Australia?
"If you play against a good team like Australia and if you try to match their performance, then you really need to work hard and perform at a higher level.
"Australia is a very strong team, and every team in the world knows that if you don't play to your potential at all times then they can end up losing. Hence, it is always important to perform at your best against Australia, else it is very tough to beat them."
The 24-year-old feels that a team should be good in all departments of the game when playing against Australia.
"If you want to beat them, then you really need to work hard on all departments of your game -- batting, bowling and fielding. You need to be complete in all departments of the game to match Australia."
One of the qualities that Harbhajan admires in the Australians is their never-say-die spirit.
"They are a good bunch of fighters who always give their best, no matter what the situation is. And that is why you will see Australia winning so many close matches, or winning games from a position where a loss seems certain."
The off-spinner, who took a hat-trick against Australia in 2001 at Kolkata to become the first Indian to perform the feat in Test cricket, feels planning is vital while playing the Aussies.
In the last decade when Australia crushed every opponent that came their way, it was only India who proved their nemesis, winning three out of the six Tests series between the two countries, including the one-off Test.
Harbhajan feels if India was able to do that, it was because of better planning than other teams.
"The things that we planned against Australia have been better than the others teams. We have played Australia a lot, and always it has been a close contest.
"It is also important to be in form when playing Australia. The last time we visited Australia in 2003, all our batsmen were in top form and scored lots of runs. And if you put runs on the board then it always puts the opponent under lots of pressure, no matter who the team is."
Harbhajan is of the view that Australia's consistency separates them from the rest of the world.
"Their strongest point is obviously their consistency and the talent they possess. They plan out things very well, much better than the other teams in world cricket.
"They have no weak points as such. But if your team scores around 500 against them, then, as a bowler, you can put more pressure on them by having more close-in fielders.
"Playing under pressure can get to the best of teams and they don't play freely. Hence, it is necessary to put the runs on the board and then get some quick wickets."
The young spinner, who took 32 wickets against Australia in the three-Test series in 2001, agrees that the current Australian team is one of the best in the history of cricket.
"Well their record speaks for themselves. There is no doubt that this Australian team is the one of the best teams to have played cricket, but they are not unbeatable.
"We have shown that we can beat them, time and again.
"We have some very talented players who can match the Aussies, or maybe they are better. But the important thing in their favour is consistency.
"We have to work hard so that we can reach that level. I am sure that day is not far."
