India on top after Vijay century

MuraliVijay

AS IT HAPPENED: Day 1 at the Gabba

MS Dhoni won the toss at the Gabba and elected to bat in stifling conditions that Murali Vijay (144) made the most of to anchor the innings. Ajinkya Rahane was 75 not out at stumps.

While Mitchell Marsh (1-14) and debutant Josh Hazlewood (2-44 off 15.2 overs) got their first Test wickets, the pair were also among those to sustain injuries - with Marsh (hamstring) the biggest concern for stand-in captain Steve Smith.

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Marsh pulled up sore after his sixth over, the 27th of the game, and left the field to finish the day in the pavilion.

Hazlewood broke down twice and was unable to finish his 16th over.

Mitchell Starc (0-56) also left the field due to heat exhaustion at one point as the Australians battled.

Salt in the wounds for the home side were the chances offered to Vijay, with Shaun Marsh - recalled for his first Test since February - guilty of twice dropping the opener off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson (0-64).

Marsh spilt an opportunity in the slip cordon when Vijay was on 36 before again giving the batsman a reprieve - only offering one hand to a chance at cover with the 30-year-old at 102.

Vijay's lucky streak came in stark contrast to the dismissal of team-mate Cheteshwar Pujara, who was given out caught behind off Hazlewood for 18, despite the ball cannoning straight off the grill of his helmet to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

Vice-captain Virat Kohli (19) suffered a comedown from his twin centuries in the Adelaide first Test, edging through to Haddin for Hazlewood's second wicket.

Spinner Nathan Lyon was rewarded for his 20 overs, getting Vijay caught behind to finish the day with 1-87.

Unbeaten after just 83 overs at stumps were Rahane and Rohit Sharma (26), with the pair putting on a 50-run stand.

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