during day five of the Fourth Test match between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 10, 2015 in Sydney, Australia.

It's the toughest road trip in international cricket. India are undefeated in their last 20 tests at home, they've just obliterated England and Bangladesh but Steve Smith believes Australia can take it to them.

Indian captain Virat Kohli averaged 109.16 in the series against England, Ravi Ashwin was excellent with the ball, taking 28 wickets.

It comes just six months after Australia were humiliated 3-0 in Sri Lanka. Their third straight Test series whitewash in Asia.

Smith is currently at a training camp in Dubai in preparation for the four-test series. He said he has learnt a lot from the Sri Lanka series.

"For me it's about understanding the different times of the game," Smith said.

"There are times in the game where you can attack a lot more and times when you need to defend a little bit, and just let the game take its course for a little while.

"Try and keep things quite tight, but when you get a sniff really go for it.

"I think I learned a little bit about that in Sri Lanka."

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 12:  David Warner of Australia and Virat Kohli of India exchange words as Wriddhiman Saha and Shikhar Dhawan of India and Steven Smith of Australia look on during day four of the First Test match between Australia and India at the Adelaide Oval on December 12, 2014 in Adelaide, Australia.  (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

Smith leads a fiery side to the subcontinent, with several players known for their sledging tactics. The Australian captain has backed his side to match it with India should they want to enter a verbal battle.

"If they want to get into a battle verbally, and that gets the best out of them then go for it," said Smith.

"It's all about us making sure that us as individuals are in the right mind set to go out and succeed.

"In the end it's about us playing on skill and making sure that our skills are in the best place for us to succeed in these conditions."

In Dubai, Australia's batsmen worked on ways to score and survive against the relentless Indian spin attack.

"Guys were able to try and find the best way to hopefully have success here in India, it's so foreign to what we get back home," Smith said.

"You don't really want people to change their natural games, it's always important to be positive and look to score.

"The moment you start defending you're probably in trouble.

"But ultimately your defence is what helps you out when you're in trouble and it's going to be important that our defences are strong."