The last time India opted to bowl after winning the toss in a Test match was against South Africa in Bengaluru in 2015.
Travis Head: Losing the toss this morning, we've done an exceptionally good job day one. Lot of hard work to do in the morning, but nice to come off with a really good start. I had a wonderful time, this time in '19, we played a million warm-up games and A series. This time completely different. We know the process well and train and have the backing. (Key to success) Making sure I am in really good position, I felt like today I was for most of my innings.
I was tested, there were moments I thought they were going to come with plans. Trying to be adjustable on the job, work through and negate those periods and stay relaxed at the same time. It's nice when you have got a bloke at the other end playing as well as he is. I always love batting with Steve, I always feel I go under the radar because there are so many plans bowling to him. You say second fiddle, but I feel like I am doing that to him. (On the pitch) As it gets quicker, you may see more nicks. It was a touch slow, it was challenging with both new balls.
A day of domination from Australia after India won the toss and put them in under overcast skies on a pitch with some grass. The talking point was the exclusion of Ashwin as India went for a four-seam attack along with Jadeja. But things haven't gone to plan for them. Australia are 327/3 at stumps with Head unbeaten on 146 off just 156 balls, and Smith just five away from his hundred. Things were in the balance when these two got together soon after lunch. But it wasn't long before Head started running away and taking his team ahead.
He put the Indian bowlers to the sword and punished them at every opportunity. India didn't bowl well to him at the start either when the ball was still relatively new. Smith, on the other hand, was scratchy early on. He got away with a few edges that didn't carry to the cordon and took time before finding his rhythm. He did find it though. And the pair just made the Indian bowlers toil under the hot afternoon sun. This pitch certainly didn't have as much help as India were expecting. Now they're staring at the barrel already with a lot of catching up to do.
Hani: We already had Thakur as an all-rounder, India should have played Ashwin. He is someone who varies his line, length, pace, angles and has multiple variations. Whereas Jadeja becomes pretty much one-dimensional bowler outside Asia.
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