India's two best batsmen are well-placed to capitalise on a lifeless pitch and consign Australia to more toil on day two of the third Test.
The tourists will resume at the MCG on Thursday at 2-215 with Cheteshwar Pujara unbeaten on 68 and Virat Kohli (47no) closing in on a half-century.
Kohli's ability to convert fifties into centuries - at a rate of 57 per cent - is virtually unparalleled in Test cricket, and the Indian skipper has already racked up six tons in Australia.
But it is the dogged Pujara, who has scored more runs and faced far more balls than any other batsman in the series, who looms as arguably an even greater roadblock.
The pair survived a fierce new-ball examination from Mitchell Starc before stumps on Wednesday but otherwise found it relatively easy going on a flat MCG pitch that offered very little assistance to Australia's bowlers.
Australia's difficulties will likely be exacerbated by a forecast temperature of 36C.
India opener Mayank Agarwal, who scored an impressive 76 on debut, said his side was well-placed with Kohli and Pujara at the crease.
"Obviously it's nice to have guys who can bat long and we are doing that," Agarwal said.
"We are playing that many number of balls and we are playing that many number of sessions. So it's only going to go well for us; the longer we bat, the better it is for us."
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