Mitch Marsh claimed his maiden Test wicket, but India were otherwise largely untroubled as they reached 1-89 at lunch on day one of the second Test.
Murali Vijay backed up MS Dhoni’s decision to bat first against Australia on the Gabba green-top, reaching 46 not out at the meal break.
Vijay put on a 56-run opening stand with Shikhar Dhawan – the best effort by a touring side in a Brisbane Test since 2003.
Vijay, who scored 53 and 99 at Adelaide Oval, continued his strong form and was more than happy to drive anything overpitched.
Marsh delivered the initial breakthrough in the 14th over, Dhawan caught behind for 24 after playing a loose stroke to a wide ball.
The next over Vijay offered a chance on 36, but Shaun Marsh was unable to hold onto the low catch at third slip.
Mitchell Johnson found the edge, having made life uncomfortable for the right-hander in two three-over spells full of short stuff.
Vijay looked particularly ungainly while fending a bouncer away during Johnson’s second over, but the ball popped up over short leg Chris Rogers and fell safely.
“Watch the ball mate,” Johnson quipped soon after, having been forced to abandon his run-up due to something that caught Vijay’s eyes.
Johnson and debutant Josh Hazlewood beat the bat occasionally and engineered the odd edge with the new ball, but they found no early joy in searing heat.
The high humidity led in part to a change of ball in the ninth over, with the original Kookaburra soggy with sweat and already out of shape.
Cheteshwar Pujara had two near-misses, but was unbeaten on 15 at lunch.
A late-dipping delivery from Nathan Lyon went within a whisker of Pujara’s off stump on seven.
An inside edge then almost disturbed his stumps in the final over of the first session, bowled by Mitch Marsh.
Smith was promoted to vice-captain on Monday and is leading the side in the absence of hamstrung skipper Michael Clarke.
The 25-year-old was given his captain’s blazer by Mark Taylor before play.
Glenn McGrath presented debutant Hazlewood with baggy green No.440.
