India, Dec. 26 -- Former England batter Kevin Pietersen was openly critical of the Melbourne Cricket Ground surface after a dramatic opening day of the Boxing Day Test, where all 20 wickets fell. Batting proved a stern test for both Australia and England, with the ball swinging in the air and jagging off the seam throughout the day. Even batters who managed to spend some time at the crease struggled to judge the bounce, leading to regular dismissals. The dominance of the bowlers was clear on the scoreboard as neither side produced a single half-century on a chaotic first day.

Pietersen weighed in on the debate around the Boxing Day Test pitch, drawing parallels with the criticism India often faces in similar situations and calling for th...