Travis Head scored an unbeaten half-century on his home debut to give Australia hope of reeling in India's first innings lead despite a string of batting failures on day two of the first Test on Friday, reports Reuters.
Australia were 191 for seven, with Head 61 not out and tailender Mitchell Starc on eight, still 59 runs short of India's modest total of 250 at the close of another baking hot day at Adelaide Oval.
While the South Australia captain's second fifty in his third Test was a boost to home fans, it merely glossed over the fault-lines snaking through the batting in Tim Paine's team.
Having wrapped up India's innings with the first ball of the day, the top order was almost as quick to blow Australia's advantage.
Aaron Finch was bowled for a duck third ball by paceman Ishant Sharma and number four Shaun Marsh's dreadful run of form continued when he dragged spinner Ravichandran Ashwin onto his stumps for two after an excruciating 19-ball innings.
Debutant opener Marcus Harris, one of three Ashwin victims, was quick to blame a "tough" drop-in wicket and worked hard to put a rosy spin on the batsmen's travails.
