Josh Hazlewood took two wickets on test debut, but struggled with injury against India on day one at the Gabba. Source: Getty Images

Steve Smith’s captaincy dream turned into a nightmare as Mitchell Marsh (hamstring), Test debutant Josh Hazlewood (cramps) and Mitchell Starc (back) crumbled in a brutal day at the office.

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Unbeaten at the Gabba since 1988, Australia’s 26-year reign in Brisbane is now under threat, with Murali Vijay (144) blasting his fifth Test ton after being dropped twice by Shaun Marsh.

At stumps on day one, India (4-311) had control after skipper MS Dhoni, returning from injury, won the toss and batted on a classic Gabba deck offering early assistance for bowlers.

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But Australia failed to capitalise, with pace trio Mitchell Johnson (0-64), Mitchell Starc (0-56) and Josh Hazlewood (2-44) all floundering as temperatures reached 34C in the Gabba furnace.

Josh Hazlewood struggled with cramp during the first day against India. Source: Getty Images

Marsh is expected to bat but is unlikely to bowl again in this Test, while Hazlewood, Starc and Johnson had intensive rehab last night to ensure they are available today.

Australian coach Darren Lehmann was left stunned by a casualty rate that resembled an episode from M*A*S*H.

“I haven’t experienced that before as a coach, it was an eventful day,” Lehmann said.

Australia captain Steve Smith should have quicks Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc at his disposal on Day 2, despite both succumbing to injury and fatigue at the GABBA.

“It would be nice to have a full contingent out there. It was like a revolving door (to the dressing room) ... hopefully it doesn’t happen again.

“We’ll hopefully get a couple of guys back bowling tomorrow, we need to get quick wickets. There’s no excuses, we are better than that.”

Mitchell Starc struggled with the Brisbane heat. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

Australian medico Alex Kountouris cleared the pace posse of serious injuries, with Marsh’s minor strain unrelated to the left hamstring on which he had surgery a year ago.

Asked if Marsh will be fit to bowl, he said: “It’s unlikely, he will have a scan and we will try and get him on the field tomorrow.”

It cost them a wicket today but India remain defiant they want nothing to do with the Decision Review System.

Of Starc, he said: “His back sore and there’s some rib pain, but it’s not a side strain and nothing that will stop him bowling.”

Of Hazlewood, he said: “He had cramps all over his body, he couldn’t function at the end. He showed some courage to bowl again, he will recover and we expect him to bowl (today).”

Shaun and Mitch Marsh became the seventh set of Australian brothers to play together, however it proved to be a day filled with frustration.

Marsh’s joy at dismissing opener Shikhar Dhawan (24) for his first Test scalp was tempered when he damaged his right hamstring bowling the final ball of his sixth over.

The rookie allrounder left immediately for treatment, sparking a domino effect as Johnson, Starc and Hazlewood gradually wilted under a fusion of crafty Indian batting and Brisbane’s humid heat.

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Smith, Australia’s 45th Test skipper, tried every tactic under the sun, deploying eight bowlers, including himself and part-timer David Warner.

Hazlewood toiled manfully to remove key duo Cheteshwar Pujara (18) and Virat Kohli (19), but his promising first day in the baggy green was plagued by cramps in the final session.

Mitchell Marsh took his first Test wicket but left the Gabba turf after suffering a hamstring injury. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

The towering rookie returned briefly, only to pull the pin entirely with a suspected calf complaint after failing to finish his 16th over.

Spearhead Johnson had issues with the index finger on his bowling hand, while Starc was as flat as week-old lemonade and required medical treatment for heat distress.

On Test eve, bowling coach Craig McDermott warned Australia’s pace arsenal were ready to terrorise the Indian top-order. But it was some measure of their impotence that they had to rely on all-rounder Marsh to provide a breakthrough by removing Dhawan (24), who flashed outside off-stump.

Steve Smith has been presented with the Test captain's jacket ahead of the second Test between Australia and India.

Vijay led the Indian assault, but Marsh’s older brother Shaun gave the opener two chances, dropping him twice on 36 and 102 — both off Johnson.

Spinner Nathan Lyon finally struck with the stumping of Vijay, whose 213-ball masterclass saw him equal Sourav Ganguly for the highest score by an Indian at the Gabba.

But unless Australia’s weary pacemen rise quickly, a proud Gabba record could be incinerated.

Questions have again be asked as to why India refuses to use the DRS after Cheteshwar Pujara being dismissed despite the ball hitting his helmet and not his gloves.

And the tourists could have dominated further if not for their reluctant to implement the Decision Review System in this series.

Hazlewood claimed his maiden Test wicket after having Pujara caught behind, but replays showed the rearing delivery clearly brushed the helmet grill.

Buoyant, spinner Nathan Lyon then struck with the stumping of Vijay, whose 213-ball masterclass saw him equal Sourav Ganguly for the highest score by an Indian at the Gabba.

But unless Australia’s weary pacemen rise quickly, a proud Gabba record could be incinerated.