Pattinson gives Australia the perfect start

Lunch India 4 for 72 (Tendulkar 21*, Kohli 12*, Pattinson 3-25) v Australia

James Pattinson picked up the wicket of Gautam Gambhir in the first over © Getty Images

James Pattinson continued the remarkable start to his Test career with three wickets in the opening session in Sydney, where India's batsmen failed to back up MS Dhoni's decision to bat. The pitch had a little grass on it and there was swing and seam movement, but even so it was a very disappointing session for the Indians, who need to win the Test to have any hope of a series victory.

By lunch, they were 4 for 72 and much rested on the shoulders of Sachin Tendulkar, who entered the game with a Test average of 221.33 at the SCG. Tendulkar went to the break unbeaten on 21 and he was joined by Virat Kohli, who was on 12, and a big job lay ahead of them after Pattinson and Peter Siddle troubled the rest of the top order.

The problems began with the third ball of the Test, when Pattinson pitched a delivery on leg and nipped it away from Gautam Gambhir, who edged to first slip for a duck to continue his slump. It was an eventful first over from Pattinson, also featuring two wides as he adjusted his radar in his maiden first-class appearance at the SCG.

It was tough going early for India's batsmen and Rahul Dravid departed for 5 from 33 deliveries when he inside-edged onto his leg off Peter Siddle and was taken by Ed Cowan at short leg. That brought Tendulkar to the crease to a standing ovation, as is the case in every innings he plays these days, and he played some wonderful cover drives as Siddle bowled full, seeking an edge.

But while Tendulkar was calm and classy, his partner Virender Sehwag never looked completely settled. There were a few typical Sehwag flashes and he was lucky when Ricky Ponting put down a simple chance at second slip when he edged Ben Hilfenhaus on 23, and when a Siddle offcutter beat the bat and sailed over the stumps.

Sehwag's luck ran out on 30 when he got a regulation edge behind off the outswing of Pattinson, who had returned for another spell and bowled full, fast outswingers that tested the batsmen. It was precisely that sort of delivery that Pattinson used to get rid of VVS Laxman (2), a man who has tormented Australia over the years, especially at the SCG, where his Test average before today was 96.20.

Laxman's shot to get out was poor - he didn't move his feet and wafted at a drive before he was well set - but it was Pattinson's outswing that ensured the edge behind. By the end of the session, Pattinson had 3 for 25 and Dhoni's observation at the toss that the surface "might do a bit" in the first 15 to 20 overs had been proven correct.