Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane drew praise for his tactical acumen with former stars hailing his bowling changes that put the visitors in a dominating position on the first day of the Boxing Day Test.

Australia opted to bat but it was India who seized the initiative with Rahane shuffling his bowlers smartly to keep the hosts under the pump.

Whether it was the early introduction of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin or the decision to hold back debutant Mohammed Siraj, all his ploys yielded results.

The hosts were eventually all out for 195.

“Outstanding bowling changes and really smart fielding placements from Rahane. And the bowlers delivered. Ashwin, (Jasprit) Bumrah, Siraj were absolutely brilliant. Great effort to get Australia all out for 195 on the first day. Now for the batters to get a good first innings lead,” former India opener Virender Sehwag tweeted.

Rahane is leading the side in the absence of regular captain Virat Kohli, who is on paternity leave.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said the credit for India’s success on the opening day goes to Rahane.

“(Rahane’s captaincy) has been brilliant so far. We were all a bit worried about how they were going to pick themselves up after Adelaide. I think they looked potentially better today,” Ponting told cricket.com.au.

“Rahane’s field placements, bowling changes have all been pretty much spot on. With captaincy, making bowling changes and changing the field, you need guys to be able to execute well.”

Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar was also impressed by Rahane’s field placements but said he will refrain from praising his captaincy as it is still “early days” and he does not want to be accused of backing a fellow Mumbaikar.