Australia had no answer to Kumble's top-class bowling

"The Chepauk is probably the best wicket in India for spinners because it gives bounce along with turn.

"I have always enjoyed bowling here and I am glad we got them out early," said Kumble, after the tourists had been dismissed for 235.

"Hopefully the batsmen will deliver for us and we can keep the Aussies under pressure."

India did not make an auspicious start to their reply, losing Yuvraj Singh in reaching 28-1 at the close.

Yuvraj, who was opening in a Test for the first time after the selectors decided to bring Mohammad Kaif into the middle order, was caught behind off Shane Warne.

It was Warne's 532nd wicket and left him needing only one more to set a new Test record.

He equalled Muttiah Muralitharan's then record figure of 527 in a home series against Sri Lanka in July.

But Muralitharan boosted his tally to 532 against South Africa the following month before succumbing to a shoulder injury which required surgery.

Warne is on the brink of making history

"It'll be a proud moment for us when Shane gets the record," said captain Adam Gilchrist.

"I've already experienced him equalling it once, and I as the wicketkeeper doing that stumping."

But Warne's imminent achievement failed to take any of the gloss of Kumble's first day performance.

The latter also pair tribute to partner Harbhajan Singh, who began Australia's slide by dismissing openers Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden.

"Don't forget Harbhajan's contribution today because he kept the other end tight and enabled me to attack," Kumble added.

"We kept a tight line, putting the ball in the right places."

Gilchrist acknowleged Australia had not coped with conditions well.

"The Indian spinners bowled fantastic spells after tea and built up pressure.

"Once a team gets the momentum, it can dominate the opposition for a long period."

He added: "It's not panic stations. What we're going to do is work hard. We know the momentum can swing so quickly here."