"I think we've learnt from it. We have to be a bit tougher this week," Ponting told reporters at Melbourne airport before leaving for the third Test which starts on Friday.

India lead the four-Test series 1-0.

Ponting made a majestic 242 in Australia's first innings of 556 in the second Test in Adelaide. The dashing right-hander was out for a duck in the second innings with Australia collapsing to 196 all out.

India were set 230 to win after what Australia coach John Buchanan said was an "immature" and "soulless" batting performance by the home side.

India pulled off one of the most remarkable come-from-behind victories in the history of Test cricket.

Rahul Dravid, who made 233 and 72 not out in the match, hit the winning runs for a four-wicket victory.

India's victory over the world's number one team clinched their first triumph down under for nearly 23 years.

"If we had batted for one more session, things could have been a lot different," said Ponting, who has hit 19 centuries in 73 Tests. "I think you'll see a lot more determined team this week."

Melbourne Cricket Ground's capacity has been reduced to 70,000 as part of renovations for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. However, Ponting said the Melbourne Test had lost none of its excitement.

"This is my favourite cricket ground in the world and Boxing Day (December 26) is traditionally a big Test match," Ponting said.

"It would be nice to have a big game, to carry on from Adelaide."

The captain-in-waiting backed Buchanan's trenchant criticism of the Australian performance.

Buchanan, who publicly caned Australia's second innings batting effort, also privately strongly criticised the team and said deal-making and sponsorships had become a distraction.

In the aftermath, plenty of focus has been paid to a leaked letter from coach Buchanan to the players.

Ponting said Buchanan's comments would be discussed at a team meeting prior to the third Test.

India will retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a win or a draw in Melbourne, having won the last series in India 2-1 in 2001.

Ponting, who takes over the Australian Test captaincy from Steve Waugh after next month's fourth and final Test in Sydney, was adamant that his players' minds were properly focused on cricket.

"Some of it was right on the mark, there's no doubt about that," Ponting said of Buchanan's comments.

"I agreed with some of it and there is some other stuff that's been going on around the team for a long time.

"We're going to sit down and address a lot of those issues later on today and have a good chat about things.

"Then we'll go about our preparation, try to make us a better team."

Ponting was adamant when asked if the winner of the series would have the No.1 team tag.

"If we win it, yes if India wins it, no," he said.