India v Australia 3rd Test

Ricky Ponting believes India could have forced a positive result to the third Test in Delhi, had they taken a different approach to their batting.

"They didn't seem to have a lot of purpose about their batting today (Sunday)," said the Australia captain.

"There was a chance that a really good game of Test cricket could have been set up, but they chose to bat the way they did."

But Ponting hailed the drawn Test as "enthralling for different reasons".

He praised his team for finding their form in time to chase down India's mammoth first innings total of 613 for seven, which had made an Indian series victory look likely.
Australia performed impressively to reach 577 in their first innings reply, which helped set up the draw.

"We had our backs to the wall from stumps on the first day," said Ponting.

"But I am proud with the way we stuck at it in this Test match. Our batting through the game has been terrific."

"We probably got the worst of the batting conditions on that track, but our application and our skills through the remaining three days have been pretty good.

"There were a few positives to come out from this game for us. Brett Lee has improved through this game and Michael Clarke and Matthew Hayden are amongst the runs. So there's some good things heading into Nagpur."

The draw means Australia will go into the fourth and final Test on Friday trailing 1-0 and needing a win to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Looking ahead to the final game, Ponting insisted it was important his bowlers took time to recover.

"I'm sure the bowlers are looking to put their feet up for a couple of days," he said.

"They had a lot of bowling to do in this match and they would be looking forward to a couple of days off.

"The rest of us have a bit of homework to do I guess. We have to look at ways to take 20 wickets in the next Test to win the game."

VVS Laxman, who along with Gautam Gambhir scored a double century in the first innings to set up India's vast total, said he was thrilled to have scored runs against a high-quality Australian team.

"I've always enjoyed batting against them and it's always a pleasure when you get runs against a top team and a top bowling attack," he said.

"In the context of the game it was important that we pile up a huge total in the first innings and Gautam and I were able to contribute.

Laxman admitted his side missed the leg-spin of retiring skipper Anil Kumble on the third day. Kumble missed most of the day's play after suffering a finger injury which required stitches.

"Unfortunately he was injured at the wrong time for the team and probably if he was there we would have done much better," he said.