The wicket-keeper grabbing the ball at head height. The ball seaming away after pitching on a good length. Uneven bounce.
In the days leading up to the start of the second Test between India and New Zealand, there was much speculation over how the relaid surface at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata would play. And as the first session on the first day in the second Test demonstrated, this one is not a typical Indian turner. At least, not as of now.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat first, India lost three wickets in the first session and went into lunch at 57/3. All three dismissals were down to pace. Shikhar Dhawan, back in the squad for the injured KL Rahul, demonstrated familiar weaknesses, lunging outside off-stump and inside-edging on to his stumps to a Mark Henry delivery.
There was movement and bounce for New Zealand's pacers and Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara were beaten several times. Henry got one to nip away, just after kissing Vijay's bat as both of India's openers found themselves back in the hut. Much was expected of captain Virat Kohli but he continued his bad form, playing a loose shot outside off to be caught at gully for just nine off Trent Boult.
Of course, these are early days in the match and the pitch may well become easier to bat on as the match progress. But for a New Zealand side suffering from a spat of injuries, including the loss of their captain and best batsman Kane Williamson due to a viral, this will be a big boost. And India will need to dig deep now to get themselves out of this rut.
Brief scores:
India 57/3 (Cheteshwar Pujara 31 not out; Mark Henry 2/14) v New Zealand