Michael Clarke's hamstring injury has boosted India's hopes of squaring the Test series in Brisbane.
MS Dhoni will return to captain India in the second Test, which starts at the Gabba on Wednesday.
Dhoni missed last week's thrilling first Test in Adelaide due to a thumb injury, with Virat Kohli leading the side in his absence.
While the 33-year-old wicketkeeper has been passed fit, Clarke underwent surgery on Tuesday and will miss the rest of the four-Test series.
"It's unfortunate he's missing a Test series because of injury," Dhoni said.
"To some extent it will help us, him not being there.
"That's quite a big blow ... simple stats say he comes in and scores runs."
Australia have made the Gabba a fortress, with their most recent Test loss at the venue in 1988.
Dhoni suggested his teammates would not be intimidated by the traditional green top.
"The last couple of tours we haven't played here," Dhoni said.
"We have won at some of the fastest Test wickets - Johannesburg and Perth.
"There will be something extra for the bowlers, especially the fast bowlers."
Dhoni was tightlipped about his XI, but offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin could be recalled at the expense of legspinner Karn Sharma.
"Ashwin is definitely someone who can bat lower down the order," Dhoni said.
"We feel it is very important, at times we have lost No.8, 9 and 10 (batsmen) cheaply."
Dhoni said Kohli did a "fantastic job" captaining India in the first Test.
Kohli scored two centuries as India suffered a late collapse to lose by 48 runs.
"It was the right approach, we went for the target which was important," Dhoni said.
"We did the right thing."
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