Ricky Ponting does not gloss over the fact that he is a veritable dud with the bat on Indian soil, but believes he can break the jinx this time and erase the blot from an otherwise impeccable career.
The Australian averages a pathetic 12.28 in India.
"You are spot on," Ponting said in Hyderabad on Tuesday, when reminded about his dismal record on Indian soil.
"This is not the place where I enjoy lot of success. There is a bit of void in my international career. Last time, I missed three Test matches with a broken finger and played only one," rued the Tasmanian.
Things, however, might change in the forthcoming Test series, says the Australian skipper.
"Hopefully I will score lot of runs this time around. I'm working hard and hoping to make a turnaround here. It has been a pretty poor record and hope I can rectify that this time," Ponting said.
In absence of Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Andrew Symonds, the visitors sport a rather inexperienced look, but Ponting is not worried.
"We have to play the game at a certain level, and anywhere near our best is good enough to beat any side. India will be competitive but we have to give ourselves the best chance. Of course, they have no experience, but confidence and skill of our young players should be good enough," Ponting said.
"Having young players is not necessarily a bad thing. They bring in lot of exuberance and energy. Playing India is a challenge and they won't get tired easily," he explained.
The last time both teams squared off, sparks flew Down Under and the entire series was marred by acrimony.
Ponting, however, does not foresee a recurrence and said both teams will have to play the game in the right spirit.
"We will discuss these issues in the Match Referee's meeting. It's important for both captains to ensure that the players play in the right spirit," he said.
India and Australia have played some of the most intense series in the recent past, but former players, like Sunil Gavaskar, believe that playing frequently could take the charm off the rivalry.
Ponting, however, does not envisage such a threat.
"Any Indo-Australia series is great all the time. We play lot of cricket and we have to embrace that," he said.
