Mitchell Starc claimed career-best Test figures of 6-48 as Australia seized the initiative on day one of the second Test against India.
Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to make first use of the pitch at the Adelaide Oval, but India were rattled out for 180 thanks to some high-class bowling from Starc, who confirmed his status as the most dangerous bowler in day-night Test cricket.
The left-arm quick set the tone for an impressive Australia attack when he trapped Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw with the first delivery of the match.
Starc’s haul also included the top-order wickets of KL Rahul and Virat Kohli before another menacing spell later in India’s innings blew away the lower order.
His figures eclipsed the 6-50 he took against Sri Lanka at Galle in August 2016 and underlined his mastery with the pink ball – nobody comes close to his 72 wickets in day-night Tests.
Nitish Kumar Reddy struck three sixes as he top scored for India with a counter-attacking knock of 42 off 54 balls, including a spectacular reverse scoop off Scott Boland.
Australia faced a testing session under the floodlights with Jasprit Bumrah hungry for wickets on his 31st birthday.
The India seamer was left looking to the heavens when Nathan McSweeney edged him to Rohit at slip on five, only for the chance to be grassed.
Bumrah subsequently removed fellow opener Usman Khawaja with a brute of a delivery which climbed into the left-hander’s ribcage and nipped to take the edge with Rohit holding a more straightforward catch.
However, McSweeney and the under-pressure Marnus Labuschagne diligently battled through to stumps without further loss, and will resume on 38 and 20.
The concentration of the pair was not even broken by two brief floodlight failures and a spectator wobbling a beer snake next to the sightscreen.
