Nathan Lyon is mobbed by teammates after getting the last wicket. Picture: Mark Brake. Source: News Corp Australia

Lyon 7/152 in 34.1 overs put down an incredible Virat Kohli uprising as Australia surged to a 48-run victory in the series opener against India which folded for 315.

It was if Hughes’ cheeky smile was pervading the biggest day five crowd at Adelaide in a contest all about honouring Australia’s 408th Test cricketer at his adopted home. Michael Clarke’s irrepressible men delivered as Lyon triggered an 8/72 Indian collapse – which, incredibly, started at 4.08pm, Hughes’ baggy green number.

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Nathan Lyon celebrates after taking the winning wicket. Source: Getty Images

However the triumph came at a tremendous cost with 108-Test veteran Clarke ruled out ruled out for the rest of the four-match series with a serious right hamstring strain and revealing he may never be back.

“There is a chance I could never play again. I will do everything I can to get back on the park but I have to be realistic as well,” said Clarke who made a gutsy 128 in the first innings after being hospitalised by back lower injury

Clarke praised his side for the relentless pursuit of victory in the match to honour Hughes.

“I thought all the boys did fantastic. The one thing I’m most proud of is we didn’t shy away from trying to win the game, we continued to attack, to try to take wickets, and that’s the brand of cricket I love seeing Australia play.

“And I’ve said before there’s always a risk of losing, in this game someone will win and someone will lose and I think if you accept that, you give yourself every chance of playing games of cricket like we’ve just seen. It was great entertainment for the crowd,”

Australian skipper Michael Clarke has left Adelaide Oval for scans with a suspected injury to his right hamstring.

Lyon’s match haul of 12/286 was the best by a specialist Australian off-spinner and silenced carping about ability to bowl his side to victory on final day pitches under heat. Lyon had taken just 46 wickets and one five wicket haul in second innings before this Test.

“Certainly I believed, it just happened. I’ll keep on believing,” said Lyon now with 127 wickets at 34

Ryan Harris’ 1/49 off 19 immaculate overs kept the Indians in bother and built pressure for Lyon.

Kohli’s one-man mission, comprising dual tons here of 115 and 141 – was the monumental obstacle to an emotional series opening win.

However Lyon claimed to Kohli to seize control of the contest with Kohli caught in the deep by Mitchell Marsh with India 60 runs short of victory.

Man of the match Nathan Lyon leaves the ground. Picture: Mark Brake. Source: News Corp Australia

Lyon had raised the ball to the sky and Hughes after dismissing keeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha (13) for his fifth scalp of the inning and 10th for the game. Clarke, David Warner, Kohli and Steve Smith had also looked to the heavens after reaching centuries here.

“I just had to keep asking question and lucky enough some came in my way. It was Test cricket, always twists and turns and we just had to hang in there. Kohli and Vijay They’re unbelievable, they’re superstars.”

Indian third-wicket pair Murali Vijay (99) and stand in skipper Kohli both dug in for inspirational tons on the way to a record 185-run, third wicket stand for India.

Kohli – like Greg Chappell in 1975-76 against the West Indies at the Gabba - made twin centuries on debut as Test captain. Kohli, like Clarke, has proven a captain of courage here. Kohli has three tons in four Adelaide digs.

Yet, the shortcomings of cricket without DRS were exposed and all mistakes magnified in a pressure cooker final day.

Virat Kohli looked to the skies after bringing up his hundred on day five. Source: Getty Images

Ajinkya Rahane (0) was given out caught at bat pad by Chris Rogers off Lyon despite failing to get an edge leaving India 4/242 and all the onus on Kohli to power the tourists to a famous win.

India’s farcical resistance of the Decision Review System marred the contest as umpires became spooked – too scared to rule on obvious dismissals then raising to the finger in stark howlers.

Vijay was unhappy to be given out on 99 leg before to Lyon but should have exited hours earlier.

Lyon wrapped Vijay when on 24 padding up flush in front but umpire Marais Erasmus declined the raucous lbw appeal with the batsman camped on his crease. Skipper Clarke was compelled to obtain an explanation from Erasmus.

India's decision to go without DRS comes back to haunt them with this blatantly incorrect decision on day five of the first Test in South Australia

Opener Shikhar Dhawan (9) had departed in dubious fashion, caught behind to Mitchell Johnson (2/44) when the ball appeared to glance his shoulder.

“The fact we are not using DRS and possible confusion has led to that decision,” noted former Australian skipper Mark Taylor.

Rohit Sharma stayed in nervous fashion for six runs in 18 balls before Lyon’s unrelenting probing proved too much. The Indian No.6 was deceived by Lyon’s loop, popping a chance to David Warner at leg-slip.

Australia players celebrate a memorable victory in Adelaide. Source: Getty Images

Lyon was on the scent of a maiden 10 wicket haul and answer to criticism of his wicket taking prowess in second innings. Saha (cracked Lyon for six over long on but Lyon would respond in telling fashion – poling the keeper-batsman for 13 and five wickets in both innings.

Johnson trapped Varun Aaron ( 1) lbw with the first ball of the second new ball before Lyon sealed the win by having Ishant Sharma (0) stumped by Brad Haddin.

Allrounders Marsh and Watson were used sparingly while Peter Siddle (0/21) was also utilised for just seven overs before tea and two after - leaving Harris, Johnson and Lyon to shoulder the load.

Josh Hazlewood is now expected to debut in place of Siddle at the Gabba while left-hander Shaun Marsh will replace Clarke.