Brad Haddin's spot is for keeps

It is seven years since Brad Haddin made his first trip to India in Australian colours.

In 2001, he made a flying visit to cover for Adam Gilchrist before the unforgettable second Test in Kolkata, but flew home as soon as the incumbent indicated that, typically of most 'keepers, he would not be giving up his spot that easily.

The lesson was duly learned by a young Haddin, and earlier this year when he finally made his Test debut in the West Indies, the pain of a broken finger, suffered inside his first session as Australia's Test gloveman, could not dissuade him from playing throughout.

"I'm actually lucky I didn't play (in 2001), I don't think I was ready to play Test cricket seven years ago," Haddin, 30, said.

"The experience was great, I was only here a short time, I was in and out in a couple of days because Adam was fine, but seven years down the track I feel pretty comfortable."

Haddin chuckled when reminded of the broken digit, suffered when a ball sprayed wide early in the first session of that first Test in Jamaica.

"That (the broken finger) I couldn't believe," he said.

"It's just one of the things that comes with the trade. If I could turn back the clock I might've let it go for four wides but it happened.

"Looking back it was good not having one Test and having to miss a couple, otherwise Gilly's record and Heals' record stands, they played most of their careers without missing games so looking back I'm glad I didn't have to."

In India, Haddin's role as the team's barometer and sergeant-major in the field will take on added importance, since it is easy to become distracted by the noise, heat and sheer mania of subcontinental cricket.

"I think it's important over here as a 'keeper that your tempo's consistent, because you do get long, hot days and it can get quite draining," Haddin said.

"You don't want to be high at the start and have low patches and fluctuate too much during the game, you've got to make sure you have an even tempo so your game and the fielding is on even keel."

Vital, too, will be his role at No.7, where he will need to make runs while also ensuring he does not become another statistic in the fevered batting collapses that often come about at some stage of an Indian series.

To that end, Haddin is grateful for last year, when he proved a great success while playing as a middle order batsman.

"I really enjoyed the atmosphere (batting) over here last time, it was different with the crowd and the heat but it was something you don't often experience, that sort of hostile crowd anywhere in the world," he said.

"There's so many people here and you're out right in the middle of it and it is quite hostile but it's something you've got to deal with and another challenge you're looking forward to.

"NSW versus WA at the SCG when there's 200 people there you don't have the luxury of playing in these pressure situations where you have to deal with the crowd.