Skipper Ricky Ponting ended his run drought on Indian soil with a superb century as Australia came back strongly after a shock start in the first Test yesterday.
Ponting hit 123 to steer the tourists away from the first-over dismissal of Matthew Hayden to a more comfortable 254-4 by stumps on the opening day.
Ponting, who won the toss and elected to take first strike in good batting conditions, put on 166 for the second wicket with Simon Katich after Hayden was caught behind off the third ball of the match.
PHOTO: AP
Katich justified his selection ahead of Phil Jaques by following up back-to-back centuries on the preceding tour of the West Indies earlier this year with a dour 66.
Ponting added 60 for the third wicket with Michael Hussey (46 not out) before he was trapped leg-before by Harbhajan Singh in the final session.
Left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan trapped Michael Clarke leg-before in the day’s last over, at which time the umpires called off play.
PHOTO: AFP
Ponting set aside a disappointing average of 12.27 in eight previous Tests in India to compile his ton.
The highly anticipated four-match series began in dramatic fashion when Zaheer had Hayden caught behind before the 25,000-strong crowd had settled down.
Katich’s vigil ended just before tea when he poked at a ball outside the off-stump from Ishant Sharma and the edge was taken by Dhoni.
Ponting, who was on 94 at tea, reached his century in the first over after the break when he took a four and three off Kumble, who conceded 84 runs in 27 wicketless overs.
Australia left out off-spinner Jason Krejza from the 12 announced on Wednesday to give leg-spinner Cameron White his Test debut.
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