Ricky Ponting dismissed Sunil Gavaskar's opinion that Indo-Oz rivalry has lost its charm due to excessive cricket between the two.

By Ranabir Majumdar and Shreyas Sharma

Australian captain Ricky Ponting is saying the rivalry btween India and Australia "is actually growing".Reacting to a remark by Sunny Gavaskar, Ponting said in Hyderabad Tuesday: "The series is as big as the Ashes. The rivalry is growing as we get to play more and more cricket."

"In fact I think the rivalry is good for the game."

Sunny had receently said in an article that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was losing it sheen because of too much cricket between India and Australia.

If the BCCI believes that charity does not begin at home ahead of a cliffhanger of a series, Ponting was overwhelmed by the excellent facilities provided in Jaipur, but only just.

"We are very happy with what we got in Jaipur. The training was perfect, we got different wickets and different bowlers to face. However, the wicket for the practice game (against an RCA XI) was not good."

Ponting, who has had a lean patch in India exuded confidence about turning the tables this time, saying his destiny was in his own hands.

"I have had a lean patch in India but I am sure I can turn things around this time."

Ponting did accept that the Indian team is more experienced than the visitors.

"Our best cricket was good enough to beat anyone. Even though the Indian team is more experienced than us, we are confident we can play up to our previous levels."

Ponting ruled out a separate meeting with Indian captain Anil Kumble, on the same lines as the one after the Sydney fiasco, saying he would only meet his Indian counterpart in the referee's conference.

"I will be meeting Anil in the referee's conference. Players have been talking to each other on the field ever since I started playing and it is the captains' responsiblity to ensure things don't go out of hand."

India and Australia have been involved in some serious cricketing rivalry and fierce on field rivalry, something that dotted an explosive Test series Down Under at the dawn of this year.