Ponting : Fast Start Vital

Australian Skipper has unfinished business with India

Australia captain Ricky Ponting is keen to end his dismal record in India during the upcoming two-Test series.

Ponting averages just 20.85 in 12 Tests on Indian soil, compared with a career mark of 54.66.

Now approaching his 36th birthday, the Tasmanian knows this could be his final chance to set the record straight.

"It's a place that I've never mastered," admitted Ponting prior to the series opener in Mohali, starting on Friday.

"I've never mastered batting in these conditions.

Positive

"I felt that in the last series over here (in 2008), I took some really big strides in becoming a better player on the subcontinent.

"My first hundred in Bangalore at the start of the series was satisfying.

"I made 80-odd in Delhi. There were some positive signs for me last time and learning a bit more about the conditions and the Indian bowlers gives me a chance to hopefully have a good series."

Ponting wants Australia to seize the initiative early on as there will be little time to bounce back in such a short series.

"You don't want to be going behind in a two-Test series, that's for sure," he added. "It's hard to work your way back into it from there.

"Generally, we are very good starters as well. Our record starting a Test series is very good. That's one area we can focus on a little bit more, making sure that we start the game well."

Australia have yet to decide on the participation of batsman Mike Hussey and left-arm paceman Bollinger

Both arrived late for the tour as they were playing for the Chennai Super Kings at the Champions League T20.

Harbhajan doubt

India will also wait until Friday morning before naming their starting XI as they wait on the fitness of spinner Harbhajan Singh

Harbhajan, Ponting's tormentor in chief over the years, is battling to recover from an ankle sprain.

The Mohali wicket has a seamer-friendly reputation, meaning the hosts are likely to play just one spinner alongside a three-pronged seam attack of Zaheer Khan Ishant Sharma and Shantha Sreesanth.

If Harbhajan is ruled out, left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha is his probable replacement, although leg-spinner Amit Mishra is also included in a 15-man squad.