Australia vs India 2018/19, Third Test, Day 1: 5 Talking Points 

Australia hosted India in the Boxing Day Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of a packed crowd. Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to bat first under hot and humid skies. The Indians tinkered with their batting order as Rahul and Vijay were dropped and Hanuma Vihari was promoted to open the batting.

Mayank Agarwal debuted for India in the match and became the 295th player to represent India in Test cricket. Rohit Sharma got one more chance to prove his potential and Jadeja was chosen in place of Umesh Yadav. For Australia, Peter Handscomb was benched after a string of disappointing performances and the all-rounder Mitchell Marsh replaced him.

The Indian openers started their innings with caution and did not play any loose shot against the new ball. Cummins got rid of Vihari but Pujara looked solid right from the moment he arrived at the crease.

The Indian innings progressed slowly but steadily and at the end of the day’s play, India were 215/2. Here are the five talking points of the day:

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#1. The nature of the pitch

MCG Pitch

For the last few years, a lot of criticism has surrounded the MCG wicket. The ground which once produced scintillating encounters between batsmen and bowlers had suddenly become a batting paradise in the last few years resulting in a series of boring draws. After the last year’s Ashes test, the pitch had received a “poor” rating from the ICC.

This had resulted in a lot of curiosity surrounding the drop in pitch with the curator assuring there will be an even contest between bat and ball. But to the disappointment of everyone, the MCG wicket was once again flat and the Aussie bowlers could not extract anything out of it.

Even the balls bowled by Starc and Cummins did not carry well to the keeper and there was no bounce or turn for Nathan Lyon. Unless the pitch opens up under the sun, The MCG is on course to produce yet another draw.

#2. Slow scoring rate

India's middle order pillars

Though the MCG pitch was flat and the conditions were similar to Asia, India scored just 215 runs in 89 overs at a run rate of 2.42. One of the main reasons for this slow scoring rate was the perseverance of Aussie bowlers combined with the natural playing style of Vihari and Pujara.

Starc and Hazlewood rarely bowled any loose deliveries during their opening spell and piled pressure on the Indian openers. But the Indian openers, especially Hanuma Vihari showed good temperament and did not play any drives away from his body.

The way Vihari left the balls outside his off stump was particularly impressive for a player who is still inexperienced at the International level. Pujara was his own self and just waited for the bowler to err in length rather than forcing the bowler to change his plans. Overall, this was quality cricket from both the teams and they can be immensely proud of their effort.

#3. Mayank Agarwal’s debut fifty

Mayank Agrawal

For two consecutive seasons now, Mayank Agarwal has been the best batsman in India’s domestic circuit and finally, he got an opportunity to represent his country at the historical MCG.

The stakes were very high with the series on the line and this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for him. Under such pressure, Agarwal showed great maturity and was not overwhelmed by the situation.

The hallmark of his innings was the way in which he picked up two’s and three’s by placing the ball into the gaps. After seeing off the new ball, he played some exquisite front foot strokes against the Aussie bowlers. He targeted Nathan Lyon in particular and did not allow him to bowl a specific line and length.

He was well on course for a debut century but was dismissed in an unlucky manner after a well made 76. With this innings, Agarwal has cemented his place in the team for the next few Tests.

#4. Starc vs Kohli

Mitchell Starc

The only weakness in the Australian bowling lineup in the first two Tests was Mitchell Starc's form. He has struggled for rhythm in this series and the Indian batsmen have handled him easily this time compared to the 2014 tour of Australia.

On the other hand, Kohli had scored a sublime century in a difficult WACA pitch and was brimming with confidence. Starc’s spell with the new ball was flawless but the flat wicket made things easy for the Indian batsmen and he went wicketless.

After 80 overs, Virat Kohli and Pujara were looking solid and Paine gave the second new ball to Starc. What followed was a battle between the best batsman in the world and a ruthless pacer who tried everything at his disposal to dismiss Kolhi.

Kohli was wary of the ball swinging into him and hence was forced into playing deliveries outside the off stump. Starc nearly dismissed him twice as once Kohli got lucky with an inside edge that missed the stumps by inches and then the right-hander was dropped by Tim Paine after getting a faint edge.

#5. The effort by Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins

On a pitch that would easily dishearten any fast bowler, Cummins produced a bowling performance that only a few fast bowlers in the world can dream of. The pitch did not have any lateral movement and when Cummins took the Kookaburra ball in his hands, it had become soft and was reaching the batsman slowly after pitching.

Under such conditions, Cummins showed the whole world why he is special as he somehow made the ball skid off the surface and dismissed Vihari with a mean bouncer. He just never got frustrated by the lack of assistance from the pitch and just kept hitting the good length at high 140’s. This was lionhearted bowling from Cummins and he finally got some reward for it with the wicket of Mayank Agarwal.

Throughout the day, he ran in hard and bowled 19 testing and probing overs. His spell consisted of 6 maidens and the only 2 wickets of the Indian innings. On a more helpful wicket, he would have easily had at least five wickets to his name.