For the first time in this series, and indeed for a while, the India bowlers actually showed patience, stuck to a plan decently enough and kept things tight to ensure the match does not run away from them.
The result of that discipline was Australia finishing the day on 259 for five, and that too only thanks to another brilliant innings from skipper Steven Smith, who remains unconquered on 72.
"It is very important to keep the pressure up from both ends," said Mohammed Shami, who picked up two wickets on the day to go along with Umesh Yadav's double, with off-spinner R Ashwin taking the other. "If you bowl well from one end and runs are conceded from the other, it doesn't make sense.
"It doesn't matter if it's a spinner or a pacer, if one bowler can hold one end up, it gives the other one a better chance to attack and pick wickets.
"I really liked the way Ashwin did that job or us. That gave us the freedom to try out our lengths and form our plans."
Shami knows patience will be key for India on Day 2 against Australia. If India can continue the same pattern of bowling, they will eventually get their rewards.
"We don't get as much reverse swing with the Kookaburra ball as we do with the SG back home," added Shami. "So we have to focus more on accuracy. Besides being disciplined with our bowling, we also have to keep our emotions in check and be patient."
For Australia Day 2 will be about hoping Smith continues his innings with aplomb again. The captain and Brad Haddin will look to put on a big partnership on Saturday to get to that big total every team aspires to after deciding to bat first.
Smith will, of course, be the key, with even his own teammates currently in awe of the ridiculously in-form right-hander.
"He's phenomenal to watch and it's great to be a part of [his journey], he's just growing day by day," said Chris Rogers, who made a nice 57. He knows he belongs and he knows he's among the best players in the world at the moment.
"He's definitely one of an echelon of batsmen at the moment who go above and beyond. He's just getting better day by day and it's scary to think how good he can be."
Where to Watch Live
Get Day 2 Score and Report HERE
Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG is scheduled for a 10.30 am local time (5 am IST, 12 am GMT, 7 pm ET) start with live coverage in India on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 3 (Hindi) and Star Sports HD1. Viewers in India can watch the Test match via live streaming online on Starsports.com.
Catch the second day in Australia live on Channel 9, while viewers can also live stream the match on Cricket Australia Live or the Cricket Australia Live App. The 3rd Test can be watched by viewers in the USA on Willow TV or via a live stream on Willow TV Online.
Viewers in the UK watch the Test match live on Sky Sports 2, while the live streaming option is on Sky Go or Watch Sky Sports. Audience in the Middle East can watch the Day 2 of the Boxing Day Test live on OSN or via live streaming online on OSN Play.
