Mahendra Singh Dhoni Has Shown Intent in Brisbane: Sunil Gavaskar Tells NDTV

Sunil Gavaskar said Mahendra Singh Dhoni's decision to bat first on a lively Gabba pitch in Brisbane has set the tone for India in the second Test versus Australia. Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Gavaskar, a former India captain, said Dhoni showed intent and indicated to the Aussies that the visitors were not going to buckle down against their quick bowlers. (Scorecard | Highlights)

By the end of the first day, India had worked themselves to a strong position at 311/4, thanks to 144 by Murali Vijay and a well-paced 75 not out by Ajinkya Rahane. ('Heat Made Brisbane Worse Than Mumbai, Chennai')

"There was so much hype around the Brisbane pitch and there was enough carry and bounce but our batsmen batted really well.  The Australians didn't bowl as well as they should have and allowed the batsmen to settle down. Dhoni showed intent and set the tone for the Indians. With his decision to bat first, he said he was ready to counter Australia's aggression. Full marks to MSD for that decision," Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar was also full of praise for Vijay, whose fifth hundred laid a solid foundation for India and said the opener's shot selection made him stand out. (Hazlewood Makes Debut, Dad's Mates Make Money)

"No praise can be too high for Murali Vijay for the way he batted. His shot selection was top class and he deserved that hundred. I wish he had stayed on. India would have then been in a real dominant position," Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar, the first batsman to reach 10,000 runs in Test cricket, said Vijay had made himself physically stronger and that helped him focus for long periods. However, he was critical of the way Australia bowled and said they delivered too short which allowed India's batsmen to settle down. (Clarke's Hamstring Surgery a Success: Warne)

Wednesday was easily the best day for India on tour and that was made sweeter by Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan, who recorded India's first 50 plus stand for the opening wicket in an away Test since 2011. Gavaskar felt the composed 56-run partnership helped the others in the Indian batting line-up settle down.

"This was not a huge foundation but it was good enough for starters. The way the others settled in also showed. The first hour of the first day is most important and the good start was necessary today," Gavaskar said.