A predictably flat MCG pitch has ensured a fizzling start to the Boxing Day Test, bringing a lull in proceedings after an enthralling contest in Perth.
Concerns about the venue's drop-in wicket were borne out on Wednesday as India reached 2-215 at the end of a largely uneventful opening day's play.
The tourists added 92 runs without losing a wicket in the final session. Cheteshwar Pujara (68no) and Virat Kohli (47no) were largely untroubled by Australia's bowlers, save for a testing new-ball spell from Mitchell Starc before stumps.
Curator Matt Page has worked hard to inject some life into the pitch, which was so docile for last year's drawn Ashes Test that it received an unprecedented 'poor' rating from the International Cricket Council.
The signs on Wednesday were not positive. Several deliveries failed to carry through to Tim Paine behind the stumps in the early going, prompting the skipper to call on offspinner Nathan Lyon after just seven overs and medium-pacer Mitch Marsh soon after.
Paine suggested after losing the toss that he would have considered bowling but the generous grass covering proved to be deceptive.
"I thought it would offer a little bit more than probably what it did in the first couple of hours," batsman Travis Head said.
"There was still a little bit there ... the quicks were able to extract some pace out of it in parts, and then other parts it didn't react the way we thought it would.
"We'll have to wait and see how it pans out, I guess. As the next four days continue, hopefully the game moves. But yeah, today was tough work."
The flat pitch forced Australia to resort to unconventional field settings, particularly against Kohli and Pujara, in the hope of making a breakthrough.
"I think for that wicket obviously ... we didn't get the ball to swing and it didn't assist off the wicket as much as in Perth and Adelaide, so you've got to become a little more proactive on how you're going to get your wickets," Head said.
"We've seen that a little bit today with some funkier fields, just trying to tempt the batter into something or trying to change the momentum of the game."
Two of the past four MCG Tests have resulted in draws. Another 'poor' rating would leave the MCG at risk of being stripped of the Boxing Day Test under new ICC guidelines that came into effect after last year's Ashes Test.
The challenge facing MCG staff to improve the deck was underscored by the surprise 'average' rating bestowed upon the Perth Stadium pitch for the second Test.
Players past and present raved about the pace and bounce on offer from the Perth drop-in wicket that produced a thrilling contest full of momentum swings.
