Star India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has struck twice just before lunch to leave Australia struggling at 3-94 in the second Test in Delhi.
After capitulating to an innings and 132-run loss in Nagpur last week, Australia appeared to be getting the hang of playing in the spin-friendly conditions on Friday.
Australia were 1-91, but they lost 2-0 in three balls late in the first session of day one as Ashwin claimed the prized wickets of Marnus Labuschagne (18) and Steve Smith (0).
But opener Usman Khawha (50 no) is still there, playing brilliantly in riding his luck to notch up Australia's first fifty of this series.
Khawaja survived some big shouts from India's spinners and quicks alike in smoggy conditions at Arun Jaitely Stadium.
The 36-year-old played bravely, stepping down the wicket to Ashwin and hitting him for a big six over long-off in a clear highlight of the session for Australia.
He will resume with recalled No.5 Travis Head (1) after lunch.
Khawaja's opening partner David Warner fell for 15 to end a torturous innings where he was hit on the helmet and elbow in separate incidents.
India fast bowler Mohammed Shami claimed Warner's wicket for the second time in a week after removing him in the third over of the match in Nagpur.
Australia were rolled for 177 on day in VCA Stadium after winning the toss, and then crumbled for 91 - their lowest Test total in India - in their second innings to bring the Test to an end in three days.
Meanwhile, captain Pat Cummins will be Australia's only recognised quick against India in Delhi as the tourists opted to give Queensland spinner Matt Kuhnemann a Test debut.
Kuhnemann was playing Sheffield Shield less than a week ago, but will play as a third spinner alongside first Test sensation Todd Murphy and veteran Nathan Lyon after being called into the squad to replace Queensland teammate Mitchell Swepson.
The last time Australia picked three spinners was against Bangladesh in 2017 when Lyon, Ashton Agar and Steve O'Keefe played, as well as allrounder Glenn Maxwell.
Miserly Victorian quick Scott Boland dropped out for Kuhnemann after playing an important role in Nagpur last week.
Australia will need to defy history to level the series, with India unbeaten in red-ball matches at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium since 1987.
India will have added motivation for this match as prolific No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara plays his 100th Test.
The hosts made just one change, with fit-again Shreyas Iyer replacing Suryakumar Yadav at No.5
The match begun in heavily smoggy conditions, with Delhi's air quality index rated as hazardous.
© AAP 2023