As they go into day two, Points India must not lose sight of...

-- Play your strokes. Fifty more runs could put Australia in a real spot of bother. Yes, the advantage was lost a little with four wickets in the post-tea session, especially with the departure of Dravid and Laxman towards the end. But then, most Indians would have found the 1st day score-line approaching 300, more than acceptable when India won the toss and elected to bat.

-- Ganguly and Kumble could be bigger threats than the other three pacers. The bounce and pace could help them as much as it should assist RP, Irfan and Ishant. India will need optimal utilization of their resources, and Ganguly did prove his worth as a bowler by effecting crucial blows in the series against Pakistan. Take lessons from Ponting’s book in this respect. He has used Symonds and Clarke so effectively in this series. Sehwag’s off spin can also be tried from time to time.

-- After Sydney, most Indians had mentally prepared themselves for a 0-4 score line. So after such a resilient 1st day display, things can only become better for them. Even if they have to go down, they must go down with all guns blazing. Especially when it is a win-win situation for them.

-- The battle for the driver’s seat is still on. As of now, India have runs on the board, and even if last four perish adding just 15-20 more runs, Australia will need anything above 400 to put pressure on India. They will be batting last after all, and could miss Hayden badly. Dravid today said that he would always prefer to bat on a seaming track on the first day, than face an up-and-down pitch later on. Australia may have similar preferences, and apprehensions. They too are humans after all.