The idea apparently first came from Australian Michael Clarke, who advised Kumble to discontinue the agreement if Ponting offers it before the start of the third Test in Perth.

Clarke was at the centre of a storm after being involved in at least two incidents that raised question marks over his honesty on the field during the high-voltage match.

On the first occasion Clarke waited for the umpire's signal despite edging a clear catch to the first slip and later claimed a low catch, which TV replays showed had bounced off the ground.

"The Indian players are opposed to the agreement on the basis that you cannot make an agreement with people you don't trust," a report in The Age claimed.

Kumble had criticised Clarke for not sticking to the pre-series agreement during the match.

"At this point, a few days before the big Test at Perth, I can tell you that behaviour will play a big role in my decision on the continuation of the agreement that Ricky and I had made before the series began," the Indian skipper has said in a column.