A brain-fade from Michael Clarke and the potentially career-killing form of Phil Hughes have left Australia struggling at 7-273 in the third Test against India.
Steve Smith, recalled to the side following this week’s shock suspensions of four players over the homeworkgate affair, was unbeaten on 58 at stumps on Friday’s second day in Mohali.
Tailender Mitchell Starc will resume on Saturday on 20.
No.5 Smith hit seven fours and one six from 137 balls and looked in good touch in a fine effort as wickets fell around him.
Ed Cowan (86) and David Warner (71) shared an opening stand of 139 before Australia lost 7-112 on a docile, brown-looking pitch which offered some slow turn to India’s spinners.
India claimed three wickets in the middle session after Australia were 0-109 at lunch.
The first-ball duck of Clarke in his new role at No.3 left Australia’s dressing room in shock after the right-hander had batted beautifully to score 268 runs in the first two Tests of the series.
Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Warner and Clarke (0) in successive deliveries.
Clarke’s first-ball exit on Friday, stumped by rival skipper MS Dhoni, was only his second Test duck since 2009.
Hughes continued his woeful series (27 runs at 5.4) when the left-hander was caught behind for two to spinner Pragyan Ojha at 3-151.
Cowan gave three chances – two at slip and one at silly mid-off – before departing on 86 when he was caught at slip by Virat Kohli from the bowling of spinner Ravi Ashwin at 4-198.
The 16-Test player Cowan fell 14 runs shy of his second hundred and showed his trademark patience in a five-hour knock that included eight boundaries.
Smith and Brad Haddin added 46 for the fifth wicket before seamer Ishant Sharma (2-41) made the old ball talk in the 94th over, removing Haddin (21) and Moises Henriques (0) bowled within three deliveries.
Peter Siddle also made a duck, becoming the third victim for Jadeja (3-56).
Australia made four changes to their line-up.
Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade (ankle) was ruled unfit while Shane Watson and James Pattinson were handed one-match bans for failing to submit a homework assignment on time.
Squad members Usman Khwaja and Mitchell Johnson were also suspended while Glenn Maxwell was dropped.
Smith, Haddin, Starc and Nathan Lyon were recalled.
Thursday’s first day of play was washed out. India lead the four-match series two-nil.