Veteran paceman Brett Lee believes Australia's defeat to India on Tuesday could prove a blessing in disguise ahead of the upcoming Ashes series against England.

Ricky Ponting's men looked certain to win the first Test in Mohali before VVS Laxman and tail-enders Ishant Sharma and Pragyan Ojha combined for 92 runs to snatch a thrilling one-wicket victory.

But while Australia's inability to finish off the Indian tail will be seen by some critics as a major problem 50 days out from the first Ashes Test at the Gabba, Lee, who announced his retirement from the Test arena in February, is not concerned.

"Sometimes to have a defeat before a big series is probably the best thing for you," the 76-Test veteran said.

"It makes guys switch on a lot more.

"If we went over there and won 2-0 pretty convincingly then you could look at it two ways - saying that the guys are on a roll there ready for the Ashes, or that it was a walk in the park and things can become a little bit complacent.

"But I'm sure that Australia will bounce back. We've got a great side and a great squad.

"The Australian summer's going to be huge. With the Poms coming out it's going to be very exciting cricket and I hope it's a bit like the 2005 series but with a different result."

Lee admits the ICC World Cup, to be co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh beginning in February, would be a fitting way to end his career.

But while Lee says he has "vowed never to bowl a red ball again", he refused to rule out playing Twenty20 and one-day cricket beyond this season.

"I'm not going to put a timeline on when I want to stop," he said.

"If it (the end) comes now and I don't bowl a ball ever again for Australia, well, yes I'll be disappointed but to me it's not the end of the world."