The Australian vice-captain swung his bat and kicked the pitch in anger as he left to a standing ovation after his highest test score and the highest by any Australian in a test against India.

Ponting later told a news conference he was frustrated only because the team had wanted a bigger first innings total than the 556 they finished with.

"The team plan today was to get to about 580, that was the total we wanted," Ponting said.

"When I got out there was still a bit of work to do so I was pretty disappointed."

Ponting was the eighth man out with the score on 556 but Australia failed to add to their score when Indian spinner Anil Kumble captured three wickets in six balls, including Ponting, to mop up the tail and finish with five for 154.

"It was just one of those things where you reap the rewards one day after putting in all the hard work the previous day," Kumble said.

India's joy at wiping out the Australian tail quicker than expected was shortlived when they slumped to 85 for four in reply after Andy Bichel, under pressure to hold his place in the team after last week's drawn first test, ripped through the top order.

"I was disappointed with the way I bowled in Brisbane so it was just a matter of me trying to do my best here," Bichel said.

"I tried as hard as I could in Brisbane but it didn't work for me. I tried my hardest here too and things went my way."

Rahul Dravid (43 not out) and Vangipurappu Laxman (55 not out) steadied India's innings with an unbroken stand of 95 to help the tourists end the second day on 180 for four.

BAT AGAIN

That left them needing a further 177 to avoid the follow-on, although Ponting said Australia planned to bat next even if India fell short of their target.

"I don't think we were ever going to bowl them out that cheaply for that to be a consideration," Ponting said.

"The wicket here is always hard to bat on last no matter how many you're chasing so I don't think we would have made them bat again even if we got them out tonight."

Australia finished the day on top but still wary about the danger presented by Laxman and Dravid after the pair shared a record 376 run stand in Calcutta two years ago that turned the series.

"I thought we bowled really well today and stuck to our plans, they played well the last hour and half of the day so we've got to come up with some plans tomorrow to restrict these guys and hopefully break the partnership sooner rather than later," added Ponting.