Sachin wouldn't have walked had he known umpire decision: Ponting

Australian captain Ricky Ponting on Tuesday said Sachin Tendulkar would not have walked back to the pavillion had he known that the umpire had ruled him not out in India's World Cup league match against the West Indies on Sunday.

Ponting, who had waited for the umpire's decision even if he knew he had nicked a delivery during Australia's World Cup match against Pakistan, suggested that Tendulkar did not know the umpire had given him not out off West Indies fast bowler Ravi Rampaul's delivery in Chennai. (Also Read: I walked because I was out)

"I think Sachin did not see the umpire's decision who had ruled him not out. Had he seen it, he would not have walked," Ponting said in a 'Headlines Today' programme. "This is all part of the game. I wanted to wait for the umpire's decision," he added. (Also Read: Walking is an individual decision)

On the demand by his critics that he should quit after World Cup as he has been struggling for form, Ponting said, "All my on and off-field actions are being overplayed. I have captained Australia quite well in this World Cup. I'm being criticized, because I am not among runs. I can't do anything what people write about me."

"I am though disappointed with my batting," he said. Speaking about the team strategy, in the backdrop of criticism that Australia have been defensive against spinners, Ponting said, "I have told our batsmen to play with as much freedom as you want."

Asked about the tag of invincible carried by his team earlier, he said, "There is nothing like invincibles. Every game changes in matters of balls."

Asked if the loss against Pakistan will play on the minds of his players, Ponting said, "What happens in previous games won't affect us. We have learnt lessons from the game against Pakistan."