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Mohali: Zaheer Khan (3-45) struck late on Day 1 for India, while Australia were held together by Shane Watson (101 not out), reaching 224 for five at stumps. The Indians saw three chances go down in the field.
Zaheer Khan has snared the key wickets of Michael Hussey and Marcus North to have Australia at 224 for five at stumps on day one in the first Test against India in Mohali.
India turned a bad morning into a bright afternoon despite the committed effort of Shane Watson, who collected his third century in a week. Watson, who posted twin hundreds in the tour game, survived two chances in delivering the sort of performance expected of a specialist opener, not one Australia have manufactured over the past year.
India has snared the key wickets of Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke to have Australia at 179-3 at tea in the first Test against India in Mohali.
After resuming after lunch on 101-1, Australia looked to be in complete control as Ponting and Shane Watson dominated a lifeless Indian attack.
The hosts looked to be in deep trouble when paceman Ishant Sharma hobbled off during his first over back after the break with what appeared to be a lower leg complaint.
But things changed quickly when a Watson shot was deflected into the path of Suresh Raina at mid-wicket and he launched a throw at the stumps as an all-too casual Ponting ambled through for a single.
A direct hit had the Australian captain out for 71, but Ponting will no doubt be kicking himself for his lack of urgency when he was only just short of his ground.
The wicket sparked the hosts into action and Harbajhan Singh's introduction slowed the run-rate and upped the pressure on the Australians.
When Clarke stepped back to give himself some room and edged to Dravid at first-slip, giving Harbajhan his first wicket, the hosts were right back in the contest, although Watson (101*) and wicket keepr Tim Panin (1*) guided Australia through at stump.
Earlier, Ponting won the toss and decided to bat and early deliveries from Sharma and Zaheer Khan stayed exceptionally low on a pitch missing its normal pace and bounce.
Khan nearly removed Watson from just the second ball of the day, with the Aussie opener hitting his half-volley just above Virender Sehwag at gully.
Sehwag had to jump to take the catch but got both hands to the ball easily, only to spill the chance as the Aussie pair took a quick single and breathed a sigh of relief.
Sharma had a hearty shout for LBW with Watson facing in the third over but replays showed the ball was going down the leg side.
The wicket delighted the small crowd but Watson and Ponting soon got to work. The pair accumulated runs slowly and were nearly broken up when Sharma had Ponting caught behind down the leg side, only for it to be ruled out because of a no-ball.
Sharma had lots of trouble keeping his foot behind the line, bowling eight no-balls in the 7.4 overs.
Ponting and Watson started to put their foot on the accelerator ease in the second half of the session, despite the introduction of spin duo Singh and Pragyan Ojha who were both getting some early turn.
Brief score
Australia 224 for 5 (Watson 101*, Ponting 71, Zaheer 3-45)
