Australia reached 174 for three at tea on day one of the third Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here Friday.
Australian skipper Steven Smith was unbeaten on 23 while Shaun Marsh (batting 32) was providing him company.
Australia were comfortably placed at 92 for one at lunch but lost two wickets in quick succession with Chris Rogers (57) and Shane Watson (52) perishing shortly after reaching their half centuries.
Rogers was dismissed by seamer Mohammed Shami while Watson was trapped leg before wicket by off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.