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Indian skipper Anil Kumble had asked Ponting to withdrew the complaint so the teams could resolve the issue themselves but the Australian said he was obliged to tell the on-field umpires.
"I carried out my duties as captain," Ponting told the Nine Network on Thursday. "It's not about me reporting anybody, it's the umpires' job to do that and that's what they did."
The Australians accused Harbhajan of calling all-rounder Andrew Symonds a monkey during last week's second Test in Sydney. He was found guilty and suspended for three matches but has maintained his innocence and lodged an appeal.
Symonds, the only black player in the Australian team, had been subjected to monkey taunts during his team's tour of India in October and officials warned both teams before the current series to report any repeat incidents.
Ponting said he spoke to Kumble after last Sunday's hearing, explaining why he was obliged to take a stand against racism and asking for understanding.
"When we sat down at the end and I had a really good chat with him and the Indian management and the few other players that were there," Ponting said.
"I said 'look, this is not about us, this is a big issue in the game and I want to move on. When this is done I want us to play the best series we can from here on' -- and he agreed with that."
SUSPENDED TOUR
The Indian board (BCCI) responded to Harbhajan's ban by suspending the tour, although they later agreed to proceed once the International Cricket Council (ICC) had made a number of concessions.
The BCCI has not ruled out canceling the tour should Harbhajan lose his appeal but Ponting said it was important the series continued.
He acknowledged his own players, who have been widely condemned for their on-field conduct, may have behaved poorly at times but said the reaction has been disappointing.
Ponting said his own parents had received abusive phone calls.
Although they did not break any rules, the players have been criticised for over-zealous appealing and standing their ground when they had been caught behind.
"Maybe I should have reacted differently here and Michael Clarke might be saying the same thing," he said."A few of the guys might all be looking at what we've done that last game."

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Oh how the Indian media has a short memory. Over the past decade the Indian team has been cited over multiple instances of dissent, abuse, ball tampering
That includes cheating, Ponting goes beyond the call of duty as a captain! Captaining a team of cheats demands extra abilities in the cheating field, and Ponting has come out with flying colours. Drop the catch, claim the wicket. Hit the pad, claim the catch. Be caught, do not walk. Allelujah Ponting, you are a true follower of cheats and hypocrites, we all know where you come from and what religion teaches you such cheating skills. Who else can be more creative than converting a ba5turd into son of god. lol, laughing at you poor sods..
One is bemused by the repeated assertion by Australians, reproduced without verification by the Indian press, that Harbhajan "abused" Symonds. The accusation is becoming more specific now, with the suggestion that the word "monkey" was used. WHY IS THE INDIAN PRESS OVERLOOKING FACTS THAT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE FOR THESE ACCUSATIONS, AND THAT SOME VERY HIGHLY RESPECTED MEMBERS OF THE CRICKET COMMUNITY, INCLUDING TENDULKAR, HAVE DENIED THAT THERE WAS ANY RACIAL ABUSE? Why is the Indian press playing Ponting's game? IT IS EXTREMELY ANNOYING/
Gavasker is right when he says Australians are biggest hypocrites. In which book is allowed to sledge aganist opposite team. Why didn't he report Hogg for Kumble's abuse. When he got an opportunity, he goes "Da...dd..y..he called us Monkey" Punish him. India don't lose sight of Harbhajan's appeal. ICC is trying to cheat here by finishing the series and then banning Harbhajan. What will India do then? Even Indians will BCCI and their capacity to fight on international level.
POnting is a self-proclaimed saint. He thinks whatever he says he would be belived and he would get away. He says that racial abuse is a big issue and he had to report it. But he is conveniently forgetting that unless it is proved that there was a racial taunt to call it a racial abuse in itself is racial. On the other hand if Indian teams complains about his team's sledging and ugly behaviour and cheating he would say this is the way he plays. The fact is he is a cheat and he has crossed the line of gamesmanship. But look at it, when Steve Waugh won 16 wins he was called a great leader. When Ricky Ponting won the same feat he is called a cheat. He has got what he deserve.
All bullies are cheat but not all cheats are bully. Ponting is a long time bully.
Ricky's wife Rianna Ponting is a worried lady, according to Autralian press. After reading newspapers. she called Ricky immediately to find out if he still has a job.
PONTY!U R NO DOUBT A GREAT SPORTS MAN/CAPTION OF AUSI.U HAVE SHOWN THE WORLD HOW 2 DEFEAT 3RD WORLD BY 3RD RATE.KEEP IT UP.ALL WIN B YOURS.
Ponting statement is similar to General Dyer statement in 1919. History repeats itself.
That includes cheating, Ponting goes beyond the call of duty as a captain! Captaining a team of cheats demands extra abilities in the cheating field, and Ponting has come out with flying colours. Drop the catch, claim the wicket. Hit the pad, claim the catch. Be caught, do not walk. Allelujah Ponting, you are a true follower of cheats and hypocrites, we all know where you come from and what religion teaches you such cheating skills. Who else can be more creative than converting a ba5turd into son of god. lol, laughing at you poor sods..
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