The inevitable happened and when it did, it took India by surprise. With the Indians still do not have their backs to the wall, there will be a feeling of conceding the advantage in letting the opposition captain off the hook.
The skipper’s innings was an important milestone. But in the context of setting the tone for the rest of the match and the series, it is unbelievable how much impact a non-performer can make when he decides to turn it on. Much has been said of Ricky Ponting’s abysmal average of twelve on past Indian tours.
Today Greg Chappell’s warning may have well been heeded. It is not often that Chappell’s comments have held much note for Indian cricket. But it would not be surprising if he had anything to do with Ponting’s technique to gear him to play against India. But after the early fall of Matthew Hayden, Ponting appeared in total control, the grit visible and fortune smiling on him as well.
Ponting’s painstaking determination in the morning paid off in two ways – one was the big, crucial partnership between himself and Simon Katich and secondly, it wore down the Indians who hoped one easy scalp in the skipper. Both points were important for Australia who were coming into the series light on experience.
Even as Australia lost their fourth wicket in the final over of the day, Michael Clarke falling to the relentless Zaheer Khan, Australia wills till go back to the hotel and sleep tonight thinking they had put their best foot forward. Ponting was rewarded for his persistence in the form of a fine century, breaking his previous jinx of highest score of sixty in India. Now he leads the pack of captains with the most centuries.
Importantly, the heat felt more for the toiling Indians as Ponting went from strength-to-strength. In a typical case of a captain’s knock, he battled his past demons as well as showed the temerity to stand his ground knowing his own deficiencies in the context of the team. His century and the manner in which it had the Indians feeling less effective or having lost a crucial hold, have both meant that Ponting has more than one reason to feel confident and rejoice in his success. His confidence now stands as a stepping stone to spur his team on and in the context of the series, Ponting could not have asked for a better time to shake off the rust or the moss that gathered around his average.
At 254 for four, one would say the game was still in balance. But Australia have gained a huge confidence point and how the Indians retaliate tomorrow will now make or break the Australian rapture.

To read of the enticing morning session’s play: follow the link below:
Taking Guard: Ponting Survives Morning Session after Hayden Blow 335956