'I couldn't have asked for anything more'

If there is any man the Indian cricket fans love to hate, it is Ricky Ponting [ Images ].

Whether it be his chasing Sachin Tendulkar's [ Images ] record for the most runs (and centuries) in Tests to captaining the Australian side to win one major tournament after the other (sometimes at the expense of India [ Images ]) to his taking up the cudgels to defend his players when there is a fight with an Indian player, there is absolutely nothing about Ponting that an Indian fan likes.

One may or may not admit it but he does know that this is true.

Also true is the fact that most of these fans are in awe of Ponting - the batsman, the captain and the achiever.

And the Australian captain was again awe-inspiring when he led an under strength outfit, against all odds, to win the Hero Honda [ Images ] Cup bilateral series with a six-wicket win over India at Guwahati on Sunday.

The win at the Nehru Stadium, their third consecutive win in this series, ensured Australia [ Images ] now have an unassailable 4-2 lead going into the final One-dayer in Mumbai [ Images ].

No wonder the 34-year-old was ecstatic with the result.

"The guys couldn't have done any more than what they have done. I couldn't have asked for anymore," he admitted, visibly relieved.

"We have done well to cross the line on four occasions on Indian soil and against a team that is No 2 in the world.

"It was a real challenge for us to find means to win games in this series. It's really a positive thing for Australian cricket."

The Australian captain also admitted he would have opted to bat had he won the toss.

"I would have batted as well," he affirmed. "The ball spinned viciously as the day went on and it was a difficult wicket to bat on later.

"But thankfully our bowlers used the new ball to good effect and there was a bit of good fortune as well. We made the most of whatever was there." Ponting, at the same time, was a tad surprised at the Indian capitulation.

"I don't think it was a 27 for five wicket," admitted Ponting. "India must be thinking of seeing the new ball as the wicket got better from there on but our bowlers did a great job.

"The way they started bowling today after the second ball of the day went for six was really remarkable."

Relieved, after a come-from-behind win – Australia was 2-1 down after the third ODI at Delhi [ Images ] - Ponting was even ready to put this result as among the best his team has done ever.

"It has to be right up there," he admitted. "I have been lucky enough to play in World Cups and Champions Trophy [ Images ] winning sides but as I have been saying we have had our fair share of adversity in the past couple weeks and to keep getting better as the series has gone on with less and less players is very satisfying.

"We knew we had our backs to the wall and that it was going to be hard. So I hope it get the recognition it deserves, this series win."

The Indian fans may love him or hate him. But for once, they have to accept the fact that he is a winner.