8216;Ponting8217;s poor record against India affecting him8217;

Ponting last week said India start as favourites because they have more experienced players and Australia, the world8217;s top-ranked side, are the underdogs.

8220;I was actually surprised by the statement made by him, for a captain who is leading the number one test side to say something like that definitely shows that there is a lot of pressure on him getting into the series,8221; Zaheer told news channel on Thursday.

8220;The reason can be that he hasn8217;t scored many runs in India. That should definitely work to the advantage of us,8221; the left-arm bowler added.

Australia arrived on Monday ahead of schedule to spend a week acclimatising at the Rajasthan cricket academy.

Australia won a four-match series 2-1 on the previous tour in 2004 to record their first series victory in India in 35 years.

Pointing played only the final test, which the hosts won, after missing the first three with a thumb injury.

Australia won an acrimonious four-test series 2-1 against India at home early this year.

From the current squad only Ponting, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke and Simon Katich have test experience in India and the tourists are rebuilding following a series of high-profile retirements.

Zaheer said Hayden8217;s wicket would be the key. The powerful left-hander averages an impressive 61 in India, plundering 793 runs in seven tests.

8220;The Australian team definitely relies quite a lot on Hayden, especially when the tour India. It will be good to get him out early,8221; Zaheer said.

The first test starts in Bangalore on Oct. 9. The remaining tests are in Mohali, Delhi and Nagpur.