Sizzling Starc bags Kohli for rare duck

For the first time in 933 days, India captain Virat Kohli has been dismissed in Test cricket without scoring.

Day 2: Australia's spinners rip through India in Pune

Kohil was out off the second ball he faced, bowled by Australia spearhead Mitchell Starc, edging a wide half-volley to Peter Handscomb who made no mistake at first-slip.

The last time Kohli was out for a duck was 45 Test innings ago at Old Trafford, when he edged a trademark James Anderson outswinger to England captain Alastair Cook, also at first slip.

It’s also the first time in Kohli’s 55-Test career that he’s been dismissed without troubling the scorers at home in the longest format, a remarkable stretch that lasted six years and 42 innings.

Kohli has been in rampant form on home turf this summer, posting double centuries against New Zealand, England and Bangladesh on his way to 1,205 runs at 85.14.

But that incredible purple patch has been temporarily diluted by the Australians, who captured the prize wicket of the Indian skipper and two of his charges in the second morning of the first Test in Pune.

After being bowled out for 260, Australia found early success when pace ace Josh Hazlewood removed India opener Murali Vijay for 10 in the seventh over.

Hazlewood’s opening spell was fantastically frugal, conceding just five runs and bowling 22 dot balls in his four overs.

With a new batsman at the crease, skipper Steve Smith re-introduced Starc with immediate effect.

The left-armer found the glove of an evading Cheteshwar Pujara before dismissing Kohli and silencing the shocked crowd.