| > | | | | Ponting set aside a disappointing average of 12.28 |
| | | | in eight previous Tests in India to compile his 36th |
| After the first-over dismissal of Matthew Hayden | | | | career Test century, just three behind record |
| for a duck, Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich | | | | holder Sachin Tendulkar. |
| foughtback on day one of the first Test. Ponting | | | | There was no time that Ponting looked more like |
| ended his drought on Indian soil with a superb 123 | | | | the batsman who has dominated attacks |
| to steer the tourists to a comfortable 254 - 4 by | | | | everywhere in the world but India than when he |
| stump on the opening day at the Chinnaswammy | | | | brought up his half century with a classic cover |
| stadium.. Ponting elected to take the strike first | | | | drive. |
| after winning the toss, put on 166 for the second | | | | Ponting celebrated his first century in India while |
| wicket with Simon Katich. Left handed Katich | | | | completing his third run before raising his bat in |
| scored 66. Ponting added 60 for the third wicket | | | | triumph. Not only had he kept his vow of |
| with Michael Hussey (46 not out) before he was | | | | improving his average in India, but he had also |
| trapped lbw by Harbhajan Singh. It was the ninth | | | | broken a record. The century was |
| time the Australian Captain has fallen to the | | | | Ponting’s16 as Captain, he was previously |
| off-spinner. | | | | tied with Steve Waugh and Allan Border on 15. |