If Ricky Ponting had witnessed the Irani Trophy Day One action between Rest of India and Delhi at Reliance Stadium on TV, he could have managed that typical wry smile which he sports most of the time.Sachin Tendulkar was not there alright, but India's middle-order woes seem to be haunting them even at domestic meet and that's good news for the visiting Aussies.
The Wall of India for years, Rahul Dravid, who opened the innings with Wasim Jaffer, missed what could have been his 100th first class 50 when Ishant Sharma trapped him plumb in front for 47.A strong contender for a middle order berth, S Badrinath, senior pro VVS Laxman and crowd favourite MS Dhoni too didn't last long.
When Rest lost their fifth wicket they had managed to score just 172 runs in 63 overs, and that too after most of them had got a start. (PTI Photo)