An Over on Day One | Aus v Ind

Déjà vu. Is this the Boxing Day test all over again? Have we even transcended into 2019? Another lost toss by Australian captain Tim Paine saw India choose to bat and pile on the runs on Day One. Here is 6 of the main take aways from Day One of the Pink Test. KING KOHLI'S FIFTH FAILURE Virat Kohli has failed to convert a start for the 5th time this series, with scores of 3, 34, , 17, 0 and 23 boosted by his innings of substance with 123 at Perth and 82 at Melbourne. Kholi could look to his number three in Pujara for an example on patience and converting starts, with a rash shot down the leg side from Josh Hazlewood ending his innings here in Sydney. It seems a little harsh on Kohli noting he is still averaging 40.28 for the series, but for his lofty standards, he has failed to convert like he would have liked and as we have come accustomed to. With this first innings shaping up as likely India's only for the innings, expect Kohli to start the ODI series with a bang. PUJARA THE NEW WALL Aaron Finch, Marcus Harris and Shaun Marsh haven't faced as many balls as Pujara this series together, let alone by themselves. Pujara's 1258 balls faced so far in this series surpassed his 1049 he faced against Australia in the 2017 series, and became the first Indian to face 1000+ balls twice in a series against Australia.

Cheteshwar Pujara celebrates his 18th test century

But facing balls isn't all Pujara is good for, he's one of India's finest run scorers, amassing runs for fun. Finishing the day on 130 not out, from 250 balls, he is the series leading run scorer with 458 runs, with Pujara looks set to pass 500 and push towards his 13th First Class, and 4th Test double century. Pujara's 12 First Class double centuries has him equal 11th on the all time list, and should he continue on tomorrow, he will join the names of Grace, Lara, Gooch and Ponsford with 13 First Class doubles. MARNUS'S LEGGIES PUT ON ICE Australia's captain Tim Paine only used Marnus Labuschagne for four expensive overs finishing the day with 0/25. After being selected on the back of his ability to bowl handy leg spin, he failed to live up to that reputation on Day One. Playing only his third Test match, it may be a little harsh on Marnus' part time leggies, however the expectation was high after his 7 wickets at 22.42 in the recent two test series in the UAE against Pakistan. After his efforts on day one, it's hard to fathom Labuschagne featuring in the wicket takers column for this test, as it is hard to imagine his part time spin helping silence his critics, with calls for Glenn Maxwell to return to the national side beginning to become deafening.

MITCHELL STARC A THREAT ON DAY ONE Starc was expensive on day one of the Sydney Test going at over 4 runs per over from his 18 overs for just the one wicket, leaking 75 runs. However while no one will deny Starc is not in the best form of his career, he still appears to be a dangerous threat for Paine and his men. A vicious bouncer which lifted ferociously off the pitch to dismiss Ajinkya Rahane for 18. It was the kind of delivery that would silence his biggest detractor, Shane Warne, who has complained that Starc has lacked rhythm and pace this series. For Australia to challenge for both the World Cup and the Ashes during the Australian winter, they will need a firing Starc. From what we saw on day one, there are hopes. PAINE LOSSES ANOTHER TOSS In 2018, 66% of sides who won the toss, won the match. In fact, in the 48 test matches played in 2018, winning the toss only resulted in a meagre 22% loss rate. For Tim Paine, his record of 1 toss wins from 7 attempts is follows this path, with the outlier being in Perth, where Australia completed their first win since Paine took the captaincy. Although the shortcomings of the current Australian side, and what it has unearthed about Australian cricket, administration and particularly the first class system, wouldn't be hidden merely by winning more tosses, but maybe Australia would be performing better with a little more luck at the toss. PINK TEST HIGHLIGHTS SCG AS PREMIER CRICKET WICKET IN AUSTRALIA The Sydney Cricket Ground can probably, finally, contentiously, lay claim to being the premier cricket ground in Australia, with the 4/303 scored by India at stumps on Day One a fair reflection of the battle between the dominant bat of India, and the poorly out of form ball of Australia. Unlike Perth and Melbourne, where all talk after the first day's play was the state of the wickets being produced, the performance of the pitch has gone under the radar. Much like a wicket-keepers performance, when they're performing well, not much is said about them. And unlike all the preceding pitches before it, the SCG can boast claim to the only traditional cricket square to be used this series. It may just be time for Cricket Australia to review the production of drop in wickets and maybe begin to campaign for the return to traditional wicket blocks.