It was the perfect start as far as the visitors from Down Under were concerned. But perhaps even they would not have envisioned that the victory would come so easy. The Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore was witness to a fizzled out tussle between two very contrasting teams in the first of four Tests between reigning world champions, Australia, and hosts, India. The intensity of the Test did not do enough justice to a prestigious trophy such as the Border-Gavaskar Cup.

But to say that this win and first advantage at the beginning of the highly billed contest was a dream hand-out would be unfair to the wizards from Oz. It was sheer hardwork based on strategic planning and a deep driving determination to reach higher and yet unconquered summits and Australia have once again set out in the right direction towards achieving that goal.

They say a picture says a thousand words. Let us paint two. The first brilliant image that stands out is when Adam Gilchrist is jubilation personified as his young charge and debutant, Michael Clarke, scores his maiden Test century in front of his proud parents and grandparents. Clarke's youthful exuberance was, also, marked by a deep passion and respect for tradition as he chose to replace his helmet, as he was approaching the century mark, with the coveted baggy green cap presented to him by Shane Warne.

The interim captaincy thrust on Adam Gilchrist in the temporary absence of Ricky Ponting, out with a finger injury, brought with it both, exultation as well as a bunch of jangling nerves, as Australia were tottering perilously at 149 for the loss of four wickets. But then came the formidable hundred run partnership between two of the most unlikely players. Michael Clarke has been brandished a one day player because of his explosive batting while Simon Katich has been a player whose name has floated around without much luck. While Simon Katich played in nonchalant form as if continuing his innings of 125 at the Sydney Test against Australia earlier in the season, Michael Clarke went from looking raw at the crease but confident to use his feet and bat with élan against the spinners. The young batsman was an accomplished veteran by the next morning as he stole the thunder from none other than his captain with an outstanding 150. Adam Gilchrist was once again at his explosive best as he notched a rapid fire eleventh Test century and his 170 run alliance with Clarke annihilated the Indians.

Anil Kumble with three wickets against his name notched up 400 Test wickets with the wicket of Simon Katich, making him only the second Indian after Kapil Dev's 434 to achieve the remarkable feat. Harbhajan Singh's comeback on day two to polish off the Australian tail with five wickets failed to stop Australia from putting up a heartbreaking 474.

Now the contrasting picture. Rahul Dravid watches in despair as Saurav Ganguly is run out in the most inane fashion in India's second innings as India plunge into a deeper, darker hole at nineteen for three. One has to question the logic behind commiting to a suicidal run when playing out time was of the essence.

The spectators were treated to some sharp, incisive and accurate bowling exhibition from a more fleet footed Glen McGrath, the dead on ball that crashed into the stumps to send back Rahul Dravid being most memorable. Jason Gillespie's fiery bowling and Michael Kasprowicz, bowling from the experience of an earlier successful tour to India, had India on the ropes at 125 for the loss of six wickets. Irfan Pathan and Parthiv Patel provided the saving grace besides the skipper's brave forty-seven but even they could only delay the inevitable. The Indian innings folded on 246 all out.

The Australia were going to play it safe, not forgetting their previous bruising at Kolkata, and decided not to enforce the follow-on. They built 228 runs more to the lead of 228 runs, notching up a mighty target of 457 with a day and a half to go. Irfan Pathan once again bowled with his heart but it was Harbhajan who put the brakes on the Australians with six wickets, his sixth successive five wicket haul at home against the champions.

If India's capitulation in the first innings was considered a one-off, their disastrous collapse in the second was just plain demoralizing. The issue of accountability once again rears its ugly head as it was the manner of defeat more than the defeat itself that was appalling at the very least. Sure, Sachin Tendulkar's absence due his the tennis elbow injury leaves a gaping hole. It has to be said that some of the umpiring decisions left a lot to be desired. But it is a rather pathetic sight to see the collective failure of the team on home conditions. The obvious oversight of the Indian selectors and team management to pick the players on the basis of form as opposed to over-indulging in previous accomplishments has hurt the team immensely. On the other hand, by picking up hungry, prolific batsmen in the Australian camp, the absence of the resourceful Ricky Ponting has been almost nullified.

Disappointment gave way to sarcastic remarks to let Irfan Pathan open the innings as yet again the young bowling star thwarted the Australia charge in the late evening of the penultimate day and the next morning in the company of Rahul Dravid who once again stood between Australia's inevitable victory with a valiant knock of sixty. The only cheer came from his batting as he danced down the pitch to loft Shane Warne high into the stands on two occasions as he notched up a well-deserved half-century. Shane Warne is within touching distance of Muthiah Muralitharan's record of most Test wickets. But neither Harbhajan now Zaheer could stop India from a ego bruising 217 run defeat.

Despite the anticipated victory, Australia will be wary so as not the repeat the agony of their last tour. The Indian selectors and management have plenty of headaches if they are to apply brakes on the visitors. With just three days before the commencement of the second Test in Chennai, finding worthy contenders will be a miracle in itself provided they have the chutzpah to make calculative risks in the larger interests of the team goals.