The New Zealand opening batsman has a score to settle with rival fast bowler Zaheer Khan and a point to prove to himself when the second cricket test against India starts here tomorrow.
The tall left-hander is coming off a pair from the drawn first test when the crafty Zaheer showed he still has the New Zealander's number.
McIntosh's two visits to the crease lasted all of 16 balls at Ahmedabad where Zaheer continued to dog him, having him caught behind and trapped leg before wicket to maintain a stranglehold on the batsman first established in New Zealand early last summer.
Back then McIntosh fell victim to the left-armer in three of five innings when he managed just 60 runs at an average of 12 for the series.
So his double failure in the first test of the current series means he will not be lacking for motivation when the tourists arrive at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, India's newest test venue, tomorrow.
"I'm actually looking forward to confronting him again," McIntosh told NZPA.
"I want to get one over him here."
He has not dwelled too deeply on his twin setbacks from the first test, rightly rationalising that an opener's lot is not always a happy one.
"It's part of the game you just have to live with at times. You always hope it goes your way but sometimes it doesn't. You just have to put it behind you and look for the next opportunity."
While he has yet to bother the scorers in this series, McIntosh has already seen enough of Zaheer to appreciate the threat he poses with the new ball.
"He's a good, intelligent swing bowler and he has the ability to move the ball in both directions.
"He certainly has a plan devised and I have been trying to negotiate that, I suppose you could say unsuccessfully at the moment," said McIntosh, who has prepared for the second test by spending time in the nets facing New Zealand's own left-arm quick bowler Andy McKay.
McIntosh admitted he felt like he owed his team significant runs in Hyderabad.
"It would be wrong for me to think anything else. I really want to contribute and hopefully put a big couple of scores together in this test.
"If you get through the initial bit and get yourself in, I think you can build an innings and bat for a long period of time."
That's something both teams managed at Ahmedabad where the world's top test nation India posted 487 and 266, while the No 8-ranked tourists emerged with much credit by responding with 459 and 22 for one following first innings centuries to debutant Kane Williamson and Jesse Ryder.
New Zealand will make at least one change from the 11 used in the first test, with fast bowler Hamish Bennett now home for treatment on a groin injury.
His replacement, allrounder James Franklin, joined the tourists for a lengthy nets session yesterday and will be considered for selection.
It is still to be determined whether New Zealand will stick with the two seamer-two spinner attack used in the first test or omit offspinner Jeetan Patel and go with a three-pronged seam unit.
Either way, Northern Districts swing bowler Tim Southee is a likely inclusion to partner new ball bowler Chris Martin, fresh from his standout five-wicket bag on an unforgiving surface at Ahmedabad.
Franklin, McKay and Brent Arnel are the other contenders in the seamers' ranks to be considered by the selection panel of captain Daniel Vettori, coach Mark Greatbatch and vice-captain Ross Taylor.
Despite being given a huge fright when collapsing to 15 for five and 65 for six in their second innings at Ahmedabad, India are not expected to make any changes for a match which will mark the first test appearance in his home city for middle order rock VVS Laxman.
Incredibly, Laxman has gone 115 internationals without playing before family and friends at Hyderabad, which has been off the test roster since 1988.
