Australia have bad memories of going down 2-1 to India when they last hosted the arch-rivals, but off-spinner Nathan Lyon said the group is certainly better placed mentally than it was in the 2018-19 summer and are raring to avenge the loss two years back. 

Lyon spoke ahead of the Test series opener in Adelaide starting Thursday (December 17) and talked up the improvements made by his team and the change in game plan to tackle the mighty Indians. 

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"We obviously know what happened in the last series against India and how well they played. We have spoken about that and come up with few different plans," Lyon said during a virtual media conference, as quoted PTI. 

While in a good headspace, the hosts have multiple injuries to contend with before the all-important D/N pink-ball affair. They won't have their strongest possible XI on the park with David Warner recovering from a groin strain and Will Pucovski, Cameron Green battling concussion scares. 

"I can't reveal my plans for Indians to read about but there is a great vibe in this Australian team and we are in far better place than we were two years ago. It's exciting and the tightest Aussie team that I have been a part of," Lyon said.

"We have done a bit of homework and are ready to go. It's disappointing when you lose guys to injuries and we all know what quality of player Warner is."

At least on the bowling front, the hosts will be at full-strength with Mitchell Starc returning to the squad after going on compassionate leave. Lyon put his vote of confidence on the left-arm quick to come out firing as he has done previously with the pink-ball. 

"Mitch has played a lot of cricket. He played three Shield games. I am not worried about lack of preparation and in fact, he bowled with the pink ball at the Sydney nets. We all know how good he is with the pink ball," said Lyon, who'll also have rough patches to target against both left and the right-handers with Starc back. 

"Obviously, I will try to get edges on both sides, catches around the bat. I love footmarks created by Starc. He (Starc) is pretty pumped up and not only a quality player but also a quality bloke," he added. 

Having taken 7 five-fers against the Indians, Lyon said he loves the challenge of bowling to the world's best players of spin. 

"We have best bowling attack in the world, so we should make sure that we do our stuff, challenging the Indian (batters') defence for long periods of time," he said.

"For me, it's not about my success but about playing my role and helping in picking 20 wickets."

Lyon is just 10 scalps away becoming only the second Australian spinner in the history of the game to take 400 Test wickets after the great Shane Warne. 

"From where I had started to where I am at present, it is pretty exciting. Hopefully, I can create chances and get close to the 400-wicket mark," he said.

"In the last five years, my bowling has gone to an altogether new level. I love the challenge of playing an attacking side like India."