Australia vs India: 3rd Test- Positives for India on Day 1

After a demoralizing loss against the Australians at Perth, the Indian team and the management were under scrutiny for their selection blunders. However, at the end of day 1, India stand on top. It was a perfect day in the office for team India. Runs were not easy for the taking, but the Indian batsmen hung in there and had the Aussies toiling in search of half chances. At 215/2, India will look to build a huge first innings total on a flat deck.

India made three changes to the side replacing Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, and Umesh Yadav with Mayank Agarwal, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja. The move comes on the back of a poor run of performances from the openers.

Let's take a look at the positives from Day 1.

#1 The Toss

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Kohli won the toss and didn't hesitate to bat first

The toss was crucial for both sides at the MCG. On winning the toss, Virat Kohli didn't hesitate to bat first. With clear skies and a flat pitch, there was very little on offer for the bowlers. The Indian batsmen capitalized by batting patiently throughout the day.

#2 A steady opening partnership

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Agarwal scored a brilliant 76 to get India off the blocks

With the Indian openers failing miserably, the partnership between debutant Agarwal and makeshift opener Vihari gave India a good start to the day. Having batted out 18.5 overs of the new ball, the first wicket partnership of 40 took the sting off the Aussie quicks. Vihari's dismissal for 8, included a lot of blows, but he made sure he hung around just enough to see off the new ball.

#3 Fifties for Agarwal and Pujara

A crucial partnership between them took the pressure off Kohli.

The 83 runs stand between Agarwal and Pujara proved vital to the success in the opening day. Agarwal's intent to score took the pressure off Pujara who patiently waited for the right balls to score off. Agarwal on debut was dismissed for 76 off 161 balls while Pujara remains on 68* off 201 balls. Even though runs didn't flow, Pujara and Agarwal batted with intent giving no chance to the Aussies.

#4 Kohli on song

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The run machine

Kohli walked out to bat knowing that for the first time in a while he wouldn't have to worry about the openers not contributing. Agarwal's dismissal brought Kohli to the crease who seemed unfazed of the situation and batted with composure alongside Pujara sharing an unbroken stand of 92. Kohli on 47* looks set to complete his fifty in no time and is not far away from another well deserved hundred. He will be keen to get India to a mammoth first innings total.