The day a killer Lyon eight India

Nathan Lyon has destroyed India's batting line-up on day one of the second Test, recording the best performance by a touring bowler in India.

Lyon captured 8-50 in 22.2 overs at M Chinnaswamy Stadium as India collapsed to be all out for 189 in the afternoon session after winning the toss and electing to bat.

The 29-year-old's haul is the best by any touring bowler in Test cricket in India, eclipsing the 8-64 of South African Lance Klusener in November, 1996.

Lyon's magical figures are also the fifth-best ever in India, behind locals Anil Kumble (10-74), Jasubhai Patel (9-69), Kapil Dev (9-83) and Subhash Gupta (9-102).

His 8-50 is also the sixth-best by an Australian in Tests, sitting beneath Arthur Mailey (9-121), Glenn McGrath (8-24 and 8-38), Frank Laver (8-31) and Albert Trott (8-43).

"I don't know they're going to spin or go straight, so if I don't know neither does the batter," Lyon said after play said "I'm about doing the basics really well.

"Keep landing on that same spot, that's a big one for me. If I keep doing that, I'm going to keep creating chances and that's what you have to do in the subcontinent. Be patient and hit the same spot over and over and hopefully things will start to happen."

Lyon is now Australia's leading wicket-taker against India in Test cricket with 58 wickets, having zoomed ahead of Brett Lee's previous record of 53.

Lyon's eighth five-wicket haul is his first since December 2014 when he claimed 7-152 against India at the Adelaide Oval.

The first wicket to fall was India No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara, caught at short leg on the stroke of lunch to hand the morning session to the visitors.

Quick Single: Match report - day one

Virat Kohli, India's captain and best batsman, shouldered arms to a Lyon off-break that thudded into his pads and was given out lbw. Kohli reviewed the decision but ball tracking confirmed the ball would have crashed into middle and leg stump.

Ajinkya Rahane was out stumped before tea to leave Lyon with figures of 3-40 at the minor interval.

Chaos erupted thereafter when Lyon captured 5-10 in 38 balls, as Ravi Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul and Ishant Sharma all fell under the off-spinner's spell.

Rahul, who top scored with 90, says Lyon took advantage of the rough Australia's fast bowlers produced.

"There’s a big rough (patch) that (quick Mitchell) Starc creates and we know Lyon bowls fast into the rough," Rahul said after play.

"It can get a little difficult to play him if the balls starts spinning and bouncing.

"He was really consistent and kept putting the ball there (in the rough) and kept asking questions.

"He got the rewards this innings. We'll see what we can do at the second innings, come hard at him and try to find a way to get him away."

Speaking on ABC Grandstand radio, former Australia captain Steve Waugh praised Lyon and his bowling strategy.

"I've been very impressed with Nathan Lyon today," Waugh said.

"He's got really nice rhythm, he's getting the ball in there at really nice pace, so if the batsman make an error in judgement in length they can't really adjust too quickly.

"He's putting them under constant pressure.