Matthew Hayden: Dismissed three runs short of his century

Adam Gilchrist then became his next lbw victim, before Shane Warne was caught at forward short-leg.

That decision went to the third umpire, who ruled the catch had been held cleanly - sending the crowd of nearly 100,000 at Eden Gardens into a frenzy.

"Ponting tried to flick the ball on the back foot and got out," Singh said.

"With Gilchrist, I decided to give the same ball and I got his wicket.

"The credit for the third wicket goes to Ramesh. He took a brilliant catch."

Hayden misses out

Singh, who had earlier dismissed Matthew Hayden (97) and Mark Waugh (22), had performed superbly with figures of 5-58-16.

Hayden had shared a 103-run first-wicket partnership with opener Michael Slater (42) and then put on 90 for the second wicket with Justin Langer (58).

Hayden had hit Singh out of the attack after lunch and looked set to reach his second century in the series.

But the bowler exacted revenge to leave him three runs short of a another impressive ton.

Singh's effort on Sunday made up for the loss of key leg-spinner Anil Kumble, who is ruled out for another four months after a shoulder surgery in January.

Singh said Kumble's absence weighed heavily on his mind.

"Bowlers have to work very hard because Anil is not playing," he said. "He has helped me a lot with valuable advice over the last few weeks."

Australia lead the three-Test series 1-0.