A sense this is their best ever opportunity to win on Australian soil has the Indian players bubbling, says superstar Rohit Sharma
India keen to 'make our mark' says Rohit
Australia's recent struggles on and off the cricket field have left a scent of blood in the water for an excited India.
Virat Kohli's team arrived in Brisbane full of confidence as they begin a tour that takes in a three-match Gillette T20I series, four-match Domain Test series before a three-game Gillette ODI Series.
India have never won a Test series in Australia, drawing three and losing eight of their 11 campaigns dating back to 1947.
Vice-captain Rohit Sharma, however, feels something special is about to happen given Australia's woeful recent form.
"It's the one place that we want to leave our mark and do well as a unit," Rohit said on Monday.
"The last time we played Test series here – although we lost two games and we drew one game – I thought there were a few close games being played.
"We want to make it count this time around.
"There's a real good feeling inside the group in all three formats – the motivation of the team is to just try and seize all the moments and win tournaments.
"When you do well in places like Australia you feel good as a team."
India's summer in Australia begins in Brisbane but not, as is usually the case for touring teams, in a Test.
The first of three Gillette T20s will be held at the Gabba on Wednesday night, instead of beginning their Test campaign at a venue where Australia haven't lost since 1988 in red-ball cricket.
The Test series will commence in Adelaide but Rohit said his side would still have to overcome a hostile pitch when they travel to Perth Stadium for the second Test later in December.
"It's either Perth or Brisbane. India has always played at Perth or Brisbane and this time around we're at Perth," Rohit said.
"Those two conditions are obviously very challenging. Australia has bowlers who are very tall and extract those conditions, use them to their advantage.
"Indian batsman generally are not that tall.
"Obviously it's not that easy for us but, again, all the guys are quite determined to change things around this time."
India Tour of Australia 2018-19
Gillette T20s v India
First T20: November 21, the Gabba
Second T20: November 23, MCG
Third T20: November 25, SCG
Domain Tests v India
First Test: December 6-10, Adelaide Oval
Second Test: December 14-18, Perth Stadium
Third Test: December 26-30, MCG
Fourth Test: January 3-7, SCG
Gillette ODI Series v India
First ODI: January 12, SCG (D/N)
Second ODI: January 15, Adelaide Oval (D/N)
Third ODI: January 18, MCG (D/N)