Australia's hot start was undone late on Boxing Day as a spirited fightback sent the pro-India crowd at the MCG into raptures.
Sam Konstas put the cricket world on notice with an incredible kick-start to the innings for the Aussies, finishing with 60 off 65 deliveries.
The teenage debutant took the game on from the get-go, playing some ridiculous ramp shots against the world's best bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
AS IT HAPPENED: Australia vs India fourth Test, day one
Konstas was also involved in a heated exchange with Virat Kohli which could land the Indian legend in hot water with the game's governing body.
The confidence shown by Konstas clearly rubbed off on veteran partner Usman Khawaja, who scored a much-needed 57 before an ugly dismissal.
With both openers back in the sheds but the Aussies in a commanding position, it was over to Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne heading towards the end of play.
Sitting pretty at 2-237 in the final session, Labuschagne had a complete brain fade when he looked to hit Washington Sundar over the top and sent it straight down Virat Kohli's throat at mid-off, dashing his hopes of a Boxing Day century.
"This has come from nowhere, this is a gift," Ravi Shastri said on Fox Cricket.
Labuschagne worked hard for 72 before the disappointing dismissal and the pain did not end there for the hosts, with Travis Head out for a duck.
The in-form No.5 left a ball from Bumrah straight into his off-stump and his facial expression told the entire story as the Indian seamer celebrated.
Travis Head is dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah. Fox Cricket
The mini-collapse wasn't over there as Bumrah struck again, forcing a poor shot from the struggling Mitchell Marsh, who was caught behind for just 4.
"That was a bad 20 minutes there," Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket.
It left Smith to settle things down and that's exactly what the right-hander was able to do, finishing with 68 at stumps from 111 deliveries.
Steve Smith celebrates his half-century. Â Cricket Australia via Getty Imag
Pat Cummins finished the day not out alongside Smith.
Play will resume at 10.30am AEDT on Friday morning.
