Ponting, on the other hand, was content to play second fiddle to Hayden for once, scoring his hundred off 172 balls. His off-driving and punches behind square seemed to bear "a brutal stamp of efficiency of a man who has scored five centuries in a year". He dominated Zaheer Khan, and Ajit Agarkar, taking advantage of their mistakes, but his batting against Kumble was a major concern, as he did not play him with certainty or with the assuredness he displayed against other bowlers. He was lucky to survive some close chances off Kumble's bowling.