Mahendra Singh Dhoni 'Catches' a Record vs Australia

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who in Brisbane broke the record for scoring the most number of ducks as India's Test captain, scripted a fresh record on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne on Friday. Dhoni became the first Indian wicketkeeper to complete 50 catches versus Australia in Tests. (Scorecard | Highlights)

Dhoni took his tally to 65 (51 catches and 14 stumpings) in 19 matches, the best by an Indian wicketkeeper versus Australia. Alan Knott is the only wicketkeeper to effect 100 dismissals versus Australia in Tests. The legendary Englishman has 105 dismissals (97 catches and 8 stumpings) in 34 Tests.

Dhoni held three catches as Australia finished on 259 for five at stumps on Day 1 at MCG (hyperlink BLOG). Chris Rogers, Shaun Marsh and debutant Joe Burns edged to Dhoni, who became the seventh keeper to complete 250 catches in Tests (251 in 90 Tests). (Shami Plans to Send Australia Packing Early on Day 2)

India are two-nil down in the four-Test series and Dhoni's contribution with the bat will matter more in this third Test match. India have included the talented Lokesh Rahul to bolster the middle order, but a lot will depend on how India bowl on Day 2 morning on Saturday.

The honours on Day 1 were shared after Aussie skipper Steven Smith won the toss and chose to bat. Following are some interesting statistics:

# Chris Rogers recorded three fifties in consecutive innings vs India for the first time in Tests -- 55 & 55 at Brisbane and 57 at Melbourne.

# In three innings under Smith's Test captaincy, Rogers has posted consecutive fifties - his tally being 167 (ave.55.66). Rogers' eighth fifty in Tests is his third vs India.

# Rogers has played three Test innings so far at MCG - his sequence of scores being 61 & 116 vs England in December 2013 and 57 vs India in December 2014. He is averaging 78.00 at this venue.

# David Warner recorded his second duck vs India - his third in Tests. It was his first duck in nine Tests in 2014.

# Shane Watson's 23rd fifty in Tests is his fourth vs India. Since posting 57 at Bangalore in October 2010, Watson recorded his first fifty in 12 innings vs India.

# Watson's 52 is his first fifty in nine innings in Tests - the last being 83 not out vs England at Melbourne in December 2013.

# Ravichandran Ahwin had figures of 27-7-60-1, the second most overs bowled by a spinner on the first day of a Test match at MCG since 2009. Saeed Ajmal's figures at the end of the first day vs Australia at MCG in December 2009 were 32-3-100-0.

(With inputs from Rajesh Kumar)