Paceman Zaheer Khan has taunted Australia's bowlers for being unable to dismiss India on the final day of the first cricket test.
Man-of-the-match Khan said Australia would be under pressure for the rest of the four-test series following the drawn result when India reached 177 for 4 chasing 299 for an improbable victory.
"They know they can't take 20 wickets and they are on the back foot," Khan said. "They couldn't get me or Bhajji (Harbhajan Singh) out.
"So we are in with a big chance. They are under pressure we know that. So we are looking ahead at the second game."
Khan's 90-run partnership with Harbhajan Singh on the third day stopped Australia's momentum and lifted India's first innings from 232-7 to a competitive total of 360.
After the match Zaheer said the Australians had employed defensive tactics throughout the contest.
He also believed the result exposed the tourists' spin-bowling deficiencies after they picked rookie legspinner Cameron White and part-timer Michael Clarke, who combined for only three wickets.
"On a fifth-day pitch the spinners could not do us any harm," he said. "That shows what their spin attack is all about. "Even the pacers, they didn't look like getting wickets at any stage today. We are in with a big chance."
Ponting was bemused by Khan's defensive claim. "I don't know what he means, to tell the truth," Ponting said. "We were the only ones trying to take the game forward.
"We played aggressive cricket. He can have a little bit of a chuckle on the inside at what he's had to say. I don't think it means too much to us."
The exchange adds weight to a rivalry that has simmered since Australia beat India 2-1 in 2007-08. It also ensures there will be tension in the lead-up to the match in Mohali starting Friday.
Khan was involved in a short, heated argument with wicketkeeper Brad Haddin while he was batting on the third day. He said he expected such behavior from his opponents. "We all know Aussies do all these kind of things," he said. "We settled the matter on the field and did not take it any further."
Khan collected six wickets for the match _ including 5-91 in the first innings _ to go with his unbeaten 57.
"It was very important for me when we lost the toss that the fast bowlers took responsibility," he said. "We responded and are very happy that as a bowling unit we did that for this match."
