Australia made an uncharacteristic slow start in the first cricket Test against India here on Wednesday, reaching 70-1 in 26 overs by lunch on the opening day.
The world champions curtailed their usual aggressive style after stand-in captain Adam Gilchrist won the toss and had no hesitation in taking first strike on a wicket expected to crumble later in the match.
In-form Justin Langer was unbeaten on 27. Simon Katich, promoted to number three in the absence of injured captain Ricky Ponting, was on nine at the break.
Left-handed opener Matthew Hayden was the batsman dismissed in the first session, caught at deep square-leg in trying to sweep off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.
Hayden made 26 in a first-wicket stand of 50 with Langer, who looked in good form after scoring a century in last week’s tour opener against Ranji Trophy champions Mumbai.
Langer flicked Zaheer Khan for the first boundary of the match, before Hayden drove the same bowler through the covers for another four.
Indian captain Sourav Ganguly brought on Harbhajan in the 10th over to exploit the bone-dry wicket, but Langer welcomed him with a superb on-drive to the fence.
The first hour produced only 30 runs in 13 overs mainly due to a fine opening spell by left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan who conceded just five runs in seven overs.
India abandoned plans to play three spinners, preferring to go in with two seamers in Zaheer and Pathan and two specialist slow bowlers Anil Kumble and Harbhajan.
The tourists picked three seamers, Glenn McGrath, Michael Kasprowicz and Jason Gillespie, and a lone spinner, Shane Warne, on a wicket already aiding turn and bounce.
Bright sunshine greeted the captains at the toss, but showers were forecast for late in the evening. Sapa-AFP