Travel sick India will confront the conditions it fears worst when the four-match Test series begins on a green, fast and bouncy Gabba on Thursday.

Morning rain and high humidity, which is also forecast on Thursday, prevented some important hours of last-day drying and preparation for the Brisbane ground staff.

The Gabba wicket is well grassed but hard and firm and is set to deliver the seam and zip it is renowned for worldwide, and the type of conditions Indian batsmen have traditionally struggled on abroad.

However, curator Kevin Mitchell Jnr believes the toss will not play a major role in the result of the match but predicted the new ball would make life tough for batting.

"It's turned out a pretty good wicket, it should be nice and hard with a bit of bounce in it early," Mitchell said.

"There will be a fairly generous bounce for the (quicks), especially with the new ball. It will definitely exploit that bounce and pace.

"If the Aussies bat first they will see the new ball through and then start playing their shots - it will be that sort of wicket where you can play your shots."

Australian skipper Stephen Waugh warned the touring batsmen they would face a barrage of short-pitched bowling and was leaning towards keeping to his Gabba record of bowling first on winning the toss.

"There's definitely some grass there but it's pretty dry underneath as well," he said.

"Whoever bats first it will be testing conditions but if you get through that you can set the game up so it really depends if you back yourself or not.

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