Earlier, Mitchell Starc produced a sensational bowling performance, claiming career-best figures of 6/48 to bowl India out for 180.

In reply, McSweeney (38*), and Labuschagne (20*), battled through challenging conditions under lights, where the pink ball offered significant movement. However, India’s pacers failed to consistently attack the stumps, managing just one breakthrough.

In the final session, Jasprit Bumrah nearly dismissed McSweeney, squaring him up and drawing an outside edge. Rishabh Pant dived to his right but could only get his fingertips on the ball, and Rohit Sharma failed to grab the rebound as it struck his wrist, granting McSweeney a reprieve on three.

Bumrah eventually struck, dismissing Usman Khawaja, who edged a length ball to the slips while fending defensively. Labuschagne endured a shaky start, taking 19 balls to get off the mark before finding his rhythm with a flicked boundary off Mohammed Siraj.

McSweeney, meanwhile, grew in confidence, playing fluent pulls and punches, including back-to-back boundaries off Nitish Kumar Reddy. The duo added an unbroken 62-run partnership for the second wicket, steering Australia into a strong position at the close of play.