Watch: Ravichandran Ashwin Dismisses Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith Within Three Balls

It was the Ravichandran Ashwin show on Day 1 of the second Test match between India and Australia in New Delhi on Friday as the veteran spinner took the wickets of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in the span of just three deliveries. The Aussie duo looked set at the crease but two brilliant deliveries from Ashwin brought India back into the encounter. Labuschagne was the first to depart as he was trapped LBW by a delivery that did not spin and crashed straight into his pads. Three balls later, Smith was foxed by a spinning delivery as he ended up edging the ball straight to KS Bharat behind the stumps.

Two wickets in the single over for Ravi Ashwin - No.1 and No 2 Ranked batters! pic.twitter.com/7Dq3xJFo6p

Usman Khawaja made a compact fifty but Ravichandran Ashwin's twin strike gave India the upper hand as Australia were pegged back at 94 for 3 at lunch on the opening day of the second Test.

Ashwin (2/29 in 10 overs) removed Marnus Labuschagne (18) and Steve Smith (0) in quick succession despite Khawaja's well compiled knock that had eight fours and a six over extra cover off the senior off-spinner.

This was after Khawaja and David Warner (15) added 50 runs for the opening stand as the visiting team gave a better account of themselves after skipper Pat Cummins opted to bat first.

While Khawaja was more assertive with his footwork and started with a square driven boundary, Warner struggled a lot during the first hour.

In fact, the Kotla strip aided better bounce and carry with Mohammed Siraj (0/14 in 6 overs) bowling a brisk first spell.

While Mohammed Shami (1/31 in 6 overs) erred in length during his first three-over spell from the Old Pavilion End, Siraj bowled quick and hurried both Warner and Khawaja with pace and