Ponting receives peck on cheek

Bangalore, Sep 28 (UNI) Australia captain Ricky Ponting was stunned when a man 'presented' him with a 'peck on the cheek' today after buying a large photo printed on a canvas at an auction held to raise money for poor children.

The middle aged man made a bid of Rs 10,000 for the photo, many of which were on the block at a charity auction dinner organised by private sector ING Vysya bank here last night.

Ponting, who was in the city to lead his side in the opening match of the seven-ODI series against India, looked pleased and invited the man on to the dais to thank him for buying the picture. But, he was startled when the man alighted the stage, walked straight to Ponting and gave him a peck on his cheek leaving the Aussie captain bewildered.

The man also asked Ponting to give him a 'brotherly' hug.

Despite taken aback, Ponting, however, obliged the 'man with the maroon shirt' as called by the host of the dinner Mandira Bedi.

Many photos and other memorabilia including a bat using which Ponting had hit a century was auctioned.

A limited edition coffee table book, on the life of the Australian captain, priced at Rs 10,000 was also released and Ponting obliged to autograph those who bought the book at the dinner.

UNI