'Ponting's poor record is an advantage for us' - Zaheer

Zaheer Khan, the India fast bowler, believes Ricky Ponting's miserable record in India could prove decisive in the four-Test series that starts next month. Ponting averages 12.28 in eight Tests in India, making it by far his least productive venue in a career during which he has averaged 58.37.

"Ponting's poor record is an advantage for us," Zaheer told the Indian news channel NDTV. "This could be his last series as a captain, [and] if you see his statements in the press you can make out he is under pressure."

Ponting had earlier said he was desperate to improve his average in India, his lowest in any country. His aggregate of 17 runs in the three Tests in 2000-01 is his worst in any Test series.

When Australia last visited India in 2004-05 the visitors won 2-1 - their first series win in India for 35 years - but Zaheer said the past did not matter. "We have been playing very good cricket lately, and we have to play very good cricket to beat Australia. We are playing to our strengths and are not bothered about what they [Australia] are doing.

"We are just thinking about what we have to do over the coming one and a half months. The Australian team relies a lot on [Matthew] Hayden and it will be good to get him out early."

Zaheer, currently playing for Rest of India in the Irani Cup, hoped to use the match as practice for Australia. "The Irani Cup will definitely help me get into that match fitness mode," he said. "We are looking to get some good match practice and this [Irani Cup] has definitely helped us."

Zaheer also had words of encouragement for fellow new-ball bowler Ishant Sharma, who has recovered from an injury sustained in Sri Lanka. "He's running in, he's fearless and he's learning and it's better he's left alone," Zaheer said. "We are moving forward as far as fast bowling is concerned. There was a concern in the past, but now we have so many fast bowlers it's a great help for the Indian team."