Ind vs Aus: India slumped to 144/6 at tea after losing Virat Kohli

India slumped to 144/6 at tea after losing Virat Kohli and VVS Laxman in quick succession on the first day of the third Test against Australia at the WACA ground in Perth.

Peter Siddle double strike dented India's hopes of reviving from early collapse as he scalped Kohli and Laxman in his successive overs to reduce India to 138/6 in 52.5 overs. However, the pair added valuable 68 runs stand for the fifth wicket.

At the break, Mahendra Singh Doni was on 4 with Vinay Kumar on 5.

India's batting woes continued as Australia's pace attack made early inroads on a lively green WACA wicket to leave India struggling on 73 for four at lunch.

India's predicament worsened moments when opener Gautam Gambhir was caught behind off swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus for 31.

Playing his first match of the series, Ryan Harris demolished Sachin Tendulkar's dream to score his elusive 100th international ton as the bowler caught the champion batsman plumb in front of the wicket.

India suffered another blow when Australian paceman Peter Siddle struck in his first over to remove Rahul Dravid on the first day of the third Test at the WACA ground in Perth.

Dravid attempted to flick full length delivery off his pads, probably beaten up by the pace and the ball ricochets off his pads to the stumps. Dravid made nine off 35 balls with the help of a boundary.

Dravid added 28 runs for the second wicket with Gautam Gambhir after losing Virender Sehwag early.

India's opening woes continued as the visitors lost Sehwag for a duck in the fourth over of the opening day.

Ben Hilfenhaus struck early when dangerous Sehwag looked to play to the offside that took an outside edge to Ricky Ponting at slip as India dealt an early blow.

Earlier, Australian skipper Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to bowl in the third Test of the four-match series.

Both Australia and India go with four quicks in the match. Pacer Vinay Kumar came in place of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for India whereas for the hosts Mitchell Starc replace spinner Nathan Lyon.

Australia hold a 2-0 lead in the four-Test series after convincing wins in Melbourne and Sydney.

India must win both remaining Tests to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Friday's match got under way under clear skies and in warm conditions, but there was some rain forecast for the coming days as a cyclone edges down the WA coast.