See-saw battle on day one in Melbourne

Dec 26, 2014

On Boxing Day, Joe Burns got his baggy green while KL Rahul was handed his India cap•Getty Images

Things did not go too well for Australia on the field to begin with. India bowled three maidens first up, with Umesh Yadav getting David Warner for a duck•Getty Images

India could have struck before lunch, but Shikhar Dhawan gave Watson a life at second slip•Getty Images

Shami got rid of Shaun Marsh just as he and Steven Smith looked to be swinging the advantage Australia's way again with a solid 69-run stand•Getty Images

... before edging Umesh behind to offer Dhoni his third catch of the day•Getty Images

The crowd packed into the MCG for one of the highlights of the Australian summer•Getty Images

But the other opener, Chris Rogers, kept the runs ticking over at his end and ...•Getty Images

Neither batsman could kick on after the interval though. Rogers was the first to go, edging Mohammed Shami behind•Getty Images

Smith kept going at his end, though, bringing up another half-century•Getty Images

Brad Haddin then stuck it out with Smith till the end of the day to ensure the teams ended on even terms with Australia on 5 for 259•Getty Images

... formed a solid partnership with Shane Watson. Both batsmen got to half-centuries•Getty Images

In the next over, Shane Watson was adjudged lbw off R Ashwin and India were buoyed •Getty Images

Debutant Burns sparkled briefly, lofting R Ashwin down the ground for four in a knock of 13 ...•Getty Images