New Delhi, Aug 24 - Harbhajan Singh has always relished taking on the combative Australians and the Indian off-spinner could not hide his happiness at the Baggy Greens surrendering the Ashes to England.

'Mubarak ho! (Congratulations),' replied Harbhajan, in his inimitable style, when asked to react on Australia's loss to England and their slide to fourth position from the top of the Test rankings.

'They have been a dominant side in world cricket for a long time. It's good that other teams are challenging them. England played really well and they deserved to win.'

Harbhajan said the Australians' decline started after the retirement of bowling greats Shane Warne and Glenn McGarth.

'I think the absence of McGrath and Warne is hurting them badly.