Australia's Steve Smith celebrates his half-century at the Gabba. Source: AFP

On Test eve, Smith talked the talk and the baby-faced skipper walked the walk on Thursday, stabilising Australia as India went for the jugular in the second Test at the Gabba.

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At stumps on day two, Australia scrambled to 4-221, still trailing by 187 after debutant quick Josh Hazlewood (5-68) bowled superbly to restrict India’s first innings to 408.

Brendon Julian and Stuart Clark review Day 2 of Australia vs India at the Gabba.

Fittingly, the rescue mission was driven by new skipper Smith (65 not out), who is building a run-scoring record that ranks him alongside batting icons such as Greg Chappell and Allan Border.

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With Australia teetering at 3-121 in reply to India’s 408, Smith delivered the ice-cool, fighting skipper’s knock made famous by Steve Waugh to keep his side in the contest.

Steve Smith finished on 65 not out at stumps. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

While his troops fell around him, Smith upheld his pre-Test pledge to play with aggression, thumping six boundaries and two sixes as he moved within sight of his sixth Test ton.

In the process, the 25-year-old franked himself among Australia’s best batsman of the past 40 years.

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In his 24th Test, Smith begins day three with 1814 career runs at 47.73, on a par with Chappell, who had 1823 runs at 52.09 at the same stage of his career.

Incredibly, some of Australia’s greatest batting leaders — Ian Chappell (1429), Ponting (1377), Clarke (1324) and Waugh (1024) — can’t match Smith’s run-scoring feats early in his career.

Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh leave the ground after bad light stopped play on day two at the Gabba. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

With India’s fusion of pace and spin applying the heat, Smith provided fierce resistance.

He needed just 68 balls to reach his half-century, hammering Ravi Ashwin over long-on twice after David Warner (29), Shane Watson (25) and Chris Rogers (55) fell with big scores on offer.

Australian debutant Josh Hazlewood faces the media after spearheading the attack with a five-wicket haul.

Smith received good support from Shaun Marsh, the pair putting on 87 for the fourth wicket, only for the latter to fall in the final session edging Umesh Yadav (3-48) to Ashwin at first slip.

Smith would deserve a maiden ton as skipper, with the injured Mitchell Marsh (7) required to provide vital support for Australia’s 45th Test skipper.

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Ashwin believes the Indians have the upper hand, but warned the tourists could not afford to worry solely about Smith if they hope to square the series at 1-all.

“We are in front of the game at this stage,” he said.

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“It’s not about Steve Smith, it’s just bowling as well as we can. I think 400 is enough (of a first-innings total) if we can get a few early wickets (today).”

Warner began in sizzling form, thumping six fours, but his 28-ball innings came to an end when he top-edged Yadav to Ashwin to leave Australia 1-47.

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Watson looked in fine touch from the moment he arrived at the crease, crunching four boundaries including a majestic off-drive, and a big score loomed for the all-rounder.

But as usual, Watson threw his wicket away, swatting Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, who took a smart diving catch at mid-on to put India in control at 2-98.

The out-of-sorts Rogers has six single-digit scores from his last 12 Test innings but he batted with confidence, bringing up his 50 off 73 balls when he cut Ashwin to the boundary.

David Warner was dismissed 29 against India. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

But the Indians struck a crucial blow just before tea, Rogers edging behind off Yadav just as the gritty left-hander set sail for a career-saving century.

Earlier, Hazlewood overcame a torrid opening day to claim a five-wicket haul and lead Australia’s second-day fightback.

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At lunch on day two, India were dismissed for 408, losing 6-97 in the opening session after Hazlewood bowled with verve and venom to launch his Test career in stunning fashion.

Hazlewood required intensive treatment overnight after cramping up badly as Brisbane’s oppressive 30C-plus heat took a punishing toll on Australia’s frontline quicks.

Australian debutant Josh Hazlewood has had a Test debut to remember, snaring five wickets in the second Test against India.

But the 23-year-old was revitalised this morning, denying Ajinkya Rahane (81) a century before having Ashwin (35) caught by Watson at first slip.

The towering paceman then celebrated his fifth wicket with the vital scalp of skipper MS Dhoni (33), who edged behind to Brad Haddin attempting to leave the ball.

“This obviously gives me massive confidence,” Hazlewood said.

“The ball felt like it was coming out the best it ever has and to put a performance like that on the board in a Test match is very good for the confidence.

“Yesterday was obviously a pretty tough slog out in the heat and it wasn’t much cooler today, but we came out well and bowled to our plans.”

Australia's paceman Josh Hazlewood finished with five wickets in his first Test. Source: AFP

It gave Haddin his sixth dismissal — seeing him equal Wally Grout, Rod Marsh and Ian Healy for the most dismissals in an innings by an Australian wicketkeeper.

Watson was also in the thick of the action, removing Rohit Sharma (32) after skipper Smith took a magnificent one-handed catch diving low to his right at second slip.

India then slumped to 9-407 when spinner Nathan Lyon had Varun Aaron (4) superbly caught at bat pad by substitute fielder Marnus Labuschagne, a South African-born cricketer now playing for the Queensland Bulls.

During day 2 of the 2nd Test between India and Australia Aussie captain Steve Smith has drew comparisons to the slick take by former captain Ricky Ponting in the 1999 World Cup.

Lyon (3-105) claimed the final wicket of the innings after Yadav (9) holed out to Chris Rogers on the mid-wicket boundary.

Beginning the day at 4-311, India were on course for a mammoth 500-plus total but Hazlewood’s heroics kept Australia in the contest.