Khan feels Aussies will be under pressure

Paceman Zaheer Khan expressed that Australia would be under pressure for the rest of the four-Test series following the drawn result on Monday 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 in reply to 430.

After the match Khan 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 leg-spinner 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 claims.

"I don't know what he means, to tell the truth," he 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 at home in 2007-08.

Khan, who was awarded the Man of the Match 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."