Kohli falls as Australia strikes put India on ropes

ADELAIDE: Australia grabbed three early wickets, including the prized scalp of star batsman Virat Kohli, to have India on the ropes early on the opening day of the first Test in Adelaide.

Batting after Kohli won the toss on a day when temperatures are forecast to hit 39 Celsius (102 Fahrenheit), the visitors crumbled under an opening barrage from quicks Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.

KL Rahul, who has been struggling for runs, flopped again, caught by Aaron Finch at third slip off Hazlewood for two.

Veteran Murali Vijay, in the side after young gun Prithvi Shaw suffered ankle ligament damage in a warm-up game, didn't last much longer, caught behind by skipper Tim Paine of Starc for 11.

In marched superstar Kohli to a huge roar from the crowd, but a stunning catch by Usman Khawaja at gully off a Pat Cummins delivery saw him back in the pavilion for only three off 16 balls, with India in trouble.

After an hour, they were 25-3 with Cheteshwar Pujara not out seven and Ajinkya Rahane unbeaten on two.

India have never won a Test series in Australia.