India's Virat Kohli hits out as England's Jos Buttler looks on during the third cricket test match at the Rose Bowl cricket ground, Southampton, England July 30, 2014.
India's Virat Kohli hits out as England's Jos Buttler looks on during the third cricket test match at the Rose Bowl cricket ground, Southampton, England July 30, 2014. Philip Brown

Staring at a large first innings score by the Australian Cricket Team, the Indian batting line up must plan their first innings very carefully before they start their chase. In all probability the fate of this Test Match hangs on the longevity of India's first innings.

In the two practice matches that the Indian team played so far they have had good batting preparations with most batsmen spending decent time at the crease. Unfortunately the pressures associated with a practice match and a Test Match is completely different and so are the quality of bowlers on display.

The opening partnership is of paramount importance. Sikhar Dhawan is the perfect player to counter attack Australia. He can play exactly the role that David Warner did for the home side. If the top order manages to survive the fast and hostile opening spell that Mitchell Johnson and co will definitely dish out to the Indians then they will really get to the proverbial "half done" mark.

At number three Cheteshwar Pujara's display will be scrutinised under the microscope. He has had two very indifferent tours to England and Australia the last time around and it will be his innings that will bridge the Indian opening partnership to the middle order. Now that Michael Clarke has played his part, at number four Virat Kholi, the Indian captain, will probably play the most important innings of the tournament. A gutsy knock from him will set the tone for the whole series.

Ajinka Rahane and Rohit Sharma have both been in rich vein of form back home and now is the time to show the whole world what they are capable of. The lower order will also most definitely have a role to play as well. They will be briefed by the team management to spend time at the crease and frustrate the opposition as much as possible. Nothing irritates and deflates an opposition team more than a long lower order batting display.

History has taught that the result in the first Test Match goes a long way to decide the future in the Border Gavaskar Test Series. The Indian first innings batting display will decide the fate of this match and on that hangs the fate of the series.