Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke is hopeful his team will be able to counter India's bowling attack in home conditions in a two-Test series starting on Friday. The hosts' attack has been strengthened with the return of left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan, who was forced to miss a recent three-Test series in Sri Lanka due to an injury.
"Zaheer and (paceman) Ishant Sharma are two very good bowlers of reverse swing. It can be very tough to combat at times and we have experienced that in the past," Clarke told reporters in Chandigarh on Tuesday. "But we've been training and batting against reverse swing and against spin too. Hopefully, come Friday, we'll be able to do well."
Harbhajan Singh leads India's spin attack, having already given a good account of himself against the Australians with 79 wickets in 14 Tests. The off-spinner rose to fame in 2001 when he took 32 wickets in three Tests against Steve Waugh's Australians to lead his side to a stunning 2-1 series victory at home.
"Every player plays spin differently. I think individually we all have a plan and it's all about trying to adapt to the pitch conditions and the bowler," said Clarke. Australia, who lost the last Test series in India in 2008, will play the opening Test in Mohali and the second match in Bangalore (October 9-13). The Tests will be followed by three one-day internationals.