India had to make a big score and their main worry has been their opening batsmen, who haven't put together a big partnership for such a long time. SS Das made 81 (10 fours, 1 six) and S Ramesh (61) as they put together 123 runs for the first wicket. Ramesh was caught by Ponting off the bowling of Warne. Das was severe on the Aussie bowling, cracking boundaries in style to build his innings. Das played a responsible and attractive knock, which would have gone a long way in cementing his place in the national squad. He fell lbw to the first ball of the third day bowled by McGrath.