With the wounds of a 2-0 whitewash still fresh, wily off-spinner Harbhajan Singh says New Zealand should expect no mercy when they visit the country for a two-Test series, starting in October.
"We have got a good opportunity to avenge our defeat in New Zealand in December last year," the 23-year-old off-spinner said.
"They made us play in gardens and on wet wickets. We will not do that. We will defeat them on good wickets," he told NDTV.
India, who were made to play on under-prepared green-top wickets when they toured New Zealand last year, were drubbed 2-0 in low-scoring Test matches, a result which continues to rankle the side till date.
Though India extracted some revenge in the World Cup, defeating the Kiwis in a Super Six game, they have made little secret of the fact that they would love to give one back to the Black Caps at the first opportunity.
"I can't wait to get my hands on the ball and have a go at them," said Harbhajan, who shot to instant fame after he grabbed 32 wickets in three Tests to help India win the home series against the mighty Australians in 2000.
"The whole team is looking to avenge the defeat," the offie said but insisted that India would not prepare out and out turning wickets.
"We want to show that we can beat them on good wickets."
Harbhajan Singh's comments came a day after his skipper Sourav Ganguly said the Kiwis should prepare themselves for tough times in Indian conditions.
Harbhajan, who is recuperating from a finger injury he sustained during the World Cup, said he has started bowling and is confident of being match fit in time for the New Zealand series.
"I am undergoing some physiotherapy as suggested by the doctor for the ligament stress that I sustained during the World Cup. I think I have benefitted a lot and I am confident of being fit before the series begins," the bowler said.
Harbhajan said he was hurt to read some media reports which said he was feigning injury and was actually holidaying in Australia.
"The grief can only be understood by one who has actually gone through it. I was very worried on account of my injury, as for a bowler to hurt his finger is the worst that can happen to him," he said.
But the tweaker said he has stopped bothering about such negative reports. "I know the same people will sing praises of me when I do well for the country."
