A career-best haul from Mitchell Starc has powered Australia into a position of dominance, firing back at India on an enthralling opening day at Adelaide Oval.
After being embarrassed in the Border-Gavaskar series opener at Perth's Optus Stadium by 295 runs, Australia went to stumps on Friday night at 1-86, trailing India by just 94, in a near-perfect start to the second Test.
Pink-ball wizard Starc destroyed India after returning captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first.
After claiming a wicket on the first ball of a Test for a record-equalling third time, Starc (6-48) continued causing carnage as India were out for 180 at tea.
But capping off Australia's best day of the series, new opener Nathan McSweeney (38no) and under-pressure No.3 Marnus Labuschagne (20no) survived a testing period under lights.
Usman Khawaja was the only Australian wicket to fall in the final session, a huge achievement considering how difficult it normally is to bat against the pink ball at night.
The Australian opener almost made it through Jasprit Bumrah's first spell, but he edged to Rohit at first slip on what was likely going to be the India pace machine's last ball if he had not taken the wicket.
But McSweeney, who endured a baptism of fire with scores of 10 and 0 on debut, and Labuschagne batted sensibly to ram home Australia's advantage.
Labuschagne took 19 balls to score, but looked far more assured at the crease than during his two painful first-Test innings.
The pair even had to regain their composure as the Adelaide Oval light towers inexplicably switched off.
Play was briefly stopped twice in a matter of minutes as only the smaller lights, and phone lights of spectators, in the grandstands remained on.
Earlier, young Indian allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy produced a blistering cameo in just his second Test to frustrate Australia's bowlers.
Reddy should have been out for a duck, but Australia failed to review a not-out lbw decision, with DRS replays revealing three red lights.
The 21-year-old top-scored with 42, including taking 21 from a Scott Boland over, boldly reverse-sweeping Australia's pace attack.
Friday's career-best return was Starc's 15th five-wicket Test haul, and his fourth in 13 day-night Tests.
Starc had the monster crowd of 50,186 - the fourth-highest turnout for a day of Test cricket at Adelaide Oval - roaring when he trapped emerging superstar Yashasvi Jaiswal for a golden duck to begin the match.
Jaiswal was also out for a duck in Perth before smashing a game-changing 161 in the second innings to set up India's commanding 295-run win.
It was sweet revenge for Starc, who was sledged by the 22-year-old for bowling "too slow" in the first Test.
"He had a good Test match last week, so nice to get him early," Starc said of Jaiswal.
"We'll have to work on him in the second innings, but a very good first day for us with the ball."
The Australian left-armer had previously taken a wicket with the first ball of a Test against Sri Lanka in 2016, and, famously, when he removed England's Rory Burns to start the 2021-22 Ashes.
Starc equalled the landmark of West Indian Pedro Collins, who incredibly dismissed Bangladesh batter Hannan Sarkar in a 2002 Test and twice in 2004.
India subsequently steadied with a 69-run partnership, but lost 3-12 to end the first session in trouble.
India's other opener, KL Rahul, rode his luck with the impressive Shubman Gill, who has returned from a thumb injury.
Boland could have had a wicket with his first ball, and two from his first over, in his first Test since July 2023.
But after he'd appeared to dismiss Rahul, the opener survived when the TV umpire called a no-ball.
Just four deliveries later Rahul edged to first slip, but Khawaja put down a regulation chance.
Rahul, who remained as opener even though captain Rohit returned from parental leave for this Test, was eventually out for 37 after McSweeney took a tough chance.
Captain Pat Cummins found some form with the ball, finishing with 2-41, including the key wicket of keeper Rishabh Pant (21).
Rohit was one of three changes for India, with Gill and veteran allrounder Ravi Ashwin recalled in place of Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar.
Australia are desperate to keep their perfect day-night Test record in Adelaide intact, having not won a series when trailing since 1997.
Mitch Marsh didn't bowl in the nets this week, with Australia preferring to keep him fresh as he manages a back issue, but the allrounder sent down four overs for 0-26.
"There's been a fair bit of noise about that (Marsh's fitness)," Starc said.
"From what I could tell, Patty (Cummins) said he (Marsh) was going to bowl, and you guys were all surprised that he did."
