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Australian captain, Ricky Ponting has been recorded as saying that he was hopeful of playing the four-Test cricket series with India in the ‘right’ spirit. This piece of information was revealed by the Aussie skipper soon after the Australian squad arrived in India. These comments are significant as the two nations had a horrid time communicating with each other and their on-field behaviour was a subject of worldwide debates as commentators and news readers from each country seem to protect their players.

Matters reached to such an extent that the Indian off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh had to be banned for as short while for supposedly racially abusing the Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds during the second Test in Sydney. Yes, the suspension was later taken back but this was more due to the BCCI’s pressure on Cricket Australia and an appeal hearing was conducted which was partially sympathetic to Bhajji’s side of the story. However, it is very evident that the two sides haven’t forgotten what happened and their bitterness is evident from their faces when they play together or pass comments about each other when facing the media.

Ponting himself was largely to blame for things to reach such a passé, because he didn’t give the best of examples although he was captaining the side. His on-field antics and ridiculous appealing only added more fuel to the fire. What was supposed to be healthy rivalry between two nations is gradually turning into personal battles among the players from both teams. Ponting has already raised his security concerns about the subcontinent tours and that isn’t something the BCCI is pleased about.

Ponting’s problems just don’t end with the absence of the key all-rounder Symonds and world champion spinner like Shane Warne. His own form in India has been dreadful. Furthermore, he has got the reputation of being crude and crass when answering questions from the media. Such issues would be highlighted by the Indian media and only put on more pressure on the Australian team members.

Ponting’s own credibility has fallen with even some ex-cricketers from Australia itself. The Australian Chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch, sounded very sure of the extent of planning that had been done before the team left for Indian shores. Australia’s opening Test against India starts on October 9th and the Australian team is still uncertain about the team composition as they have rather untested spinners and there isn’t much clarity over Shane Watson’s injury.