Australia has battled to 3-94 at lunch on day one of the second Test against India in Delhi, with David Warner failing to cash in on a gritty start.

The under-siege opener, who could only muster scores of 1 and 10 in the first Test, did well to see out the early exchanges with the overcast and smoggy conditions causing the ball to hoop around.

But he got out wafting the bat off the back foot at a short delivery, edging Mohammed Shami to undo his hard work to depart for just 15. 

Cricket fans were quick to reach for the stat records to highlight Warner's poor career form in India. 

'David Warner Is the most overrated Tests player who has played more than 100 Tests matches. He has average of just 31 away from home. perfect home track bully In this format,' one fan posted.

'Stats: 21.7 David Warner's average in India, the worst for anyone who has opened in 10 Tests in India. That is probably why there were question marks on Warner's place in the side,' added another.

'David Warner now averages 21.78 in 19 innings he’s played in India. It’s his lowest average in any country after NZ (13.00) where he’s played just 3 innings,' posted another.

Marnus Labuschagne [16] was next to go, bowled LBW by Ashwin after the delivery was reviewed before the spinner struck again to get Steve Smith out for a duck.

But opener Usman Khawha (50 no) is still there, playing brilliantly in riding his luck to notch up Australia's first fifty of this series.

Khawaja survived some big shouts from India's spinners and quicks alike in smoggy conditions at Arun Jaitely Stadium.

The 36-year-old played bravely, stepping down the wicket to Ashwin and hitting him for a big six over long-off in a clear highlight of the session for Australia.

However Travis Head, recalled in place of Matt Renshaw, failed to make the most of his opportunity and was caught in the slips for just 12 shortly after lunch. 

Earlier, Australia won the toss for the second Test match against India with skipper Pat Cummins electing to bat.

After also winning the toss and batting in the disastrous first Test in Nagpur, Cummins is hoping for a better batting display from his charges in the capital Delhi.

'The middle looks like it's got a little bit of grass but it's pretty bare at both ends,' he said.

'So I am guessing there will be a little bit of turn there, it's a good challenge for our team.

'We've all lost games before and had to bounce back, so that's the challenge for the group this week. It's been a really good preparation and everyone is raring to go.'

Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc have both failed in their bids to be fit for the Test match with Travis Head recalled for Matt Renshaw and Queensland left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann to make his debut in place of Scott Boland.

Marnus Labuschagne presented his state teammate Kuhnemann with his baggy green. 

Kuhnemann was playing Sheffield Shield less than a week ago, but will play as a third spinner alongside first Test sensation Todd Murphy and veteran Nathan Lyon after being called into the squad to replace Queensland teammate Mitchell Swepson.

The last time Australia picked three spinners was against Bangladesh in 2017 when Lyon, Ashton Agar and Steve O'Keefe played, as well as allrounder Glenn Maxwell.

Miserly Victorian quick Scott Boland drops out for Kuhnemann after playing an important role in Nagpur last week.

'We feel the pitch here, the conditions, that spin will dominate the game once again and from what we understand this pitch has been used three times already this year and there's already substantial cracking in the areas where most of the game is going to be played,' Australia selector Tony Dodemaide said.

Australia will need to defy history to level the series, with India unbeaten in red-ball matches at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium since 1987.

India will enter the match with added motivation as prolific No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara readies to play his 100th Test.

The hosts have made just one change, with fit-again Shreyas Iyer replacing Suryakumar Yadav at No.5

The match will begin in heavily smoggy conditions, with Delhi's air quality index rated as hazardous.