Inconsistent India still a strong contender for CT: Ponting

New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) India lack consistency but Rahul Dravid's men have enough talent to be a strong contender for the Champions Trophy, says Australian skipper Ricky Ponting.

Pitted against -- apart from India -- England in the tough Group A, Ponting singled out India for praise and said the hosts were held in high esteem by his World Champion side.

''We have the highest respect for India but their performance has not been consistent. They have got lots of talent in their side and I am sure they will be a force to reckon with in the tournament,'' the Aussie skipper told reporters at a media interaction here today.

Ponting was also worried about the return of Sachin Tendulkar and his good performance against the Australians in the Malaysia tri-series. The Australian skipper said he was hoping for a dry run for the Master Blaster in the Champions Trophy.

''Sachin is obviously a great player and he did well against us in Malaysia. But hopefully he won't do well against us in the Champions Trophy,'' he said.

The challenge from the other contenders apart, Ponting said his team has worked out the plans to lift the title, which has eluded the the all-conquering Australians since its inception.

''Champions Trophy is the second biggest thing after the World Cup and it has eluded us for the past eight years. But we have come prepared and hopefully things will come through this time around,'' Ponting told reporters at a media interaction here.

The Aussie skipper felt the World Champions' good record in India would also help their cause and said the momentum was also with them after the triumph in the just concluded Malaysia tri-series against India and West Indies.

''We have been working quite hard. We did really well in Malaysia and I hope we can carry the good form into the Champions Trophy.

Moreover, we have a good record in India and I think that will be an added advantage,'' the Aussie skipper said.

''Our planning is done and its now just a matter of going out there and playing to those plans. We have played good cricket and I am confident of continuing that here as well,'' he said.

Ponting said the Australians will not tinker with their team much in the big event and unlike Malaysia where every member of the 18-player squad was given a match, their best line-up would take to field in the Champions Trophy.

''There will be no experiments in Champions Trophy. The reason we tried different combinations in Australia was because we had a 18-player side but here we just 14 to choose from and unless there is an an injury, I don't there will be any major surprises,'' he elaborated.

Punter was also excited to have Glenn McGrath back in the fold after the veteran medium-pacer's withdrawl from the team during the cancer treatment of his wife.

''Great to have Glenn back but he still has work to do before returning to full form. We have to monitor his progress in the Champions Trophy ahead of the Ashes,'' he said.

Speaking of the Ashes, unlike the England team, which has termed the Champions Trophy a training ground for the Ashes, Ponting said the World Champions were not inclined to consider the ICC event a prelude to the much-anticipated series Down Under as Tests and ODIs were different propositions all together.

''I have never drawn comparisons between Tests and ODIs. I think both forms require a different approach. But certainly, we would like to beat England and make a statement,'' he said.

Ponting, who took over the mantle of captaincy from the legendary Steve Waugh and was criticised initially after failing to retain the Ashes last summer, said the leading the team in both Tests and ODIs required similar skills but one-dayers certainly put more pressure on him.

''I think when it comes to leading the side, similar qualities and skills are needed. But yes ODIs do require quicker thinking and can at times be more stressful because of the changing face of the game,'' Ponting said.

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