Having dismissed Australia for a stiff first innings total of 326 in the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test at Perth, the Virat Kohli led side would've hoped to kickstart their effort with a solid opening partnership.

But, fearsome left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc had absolutely contrarian ideas. Gauging the mindset and current form of India's opening batsman Murali Vijay, Starc decided to enthrall us all with a peach of a delivery.

Starc ran-in in his characteristically intimidating ways and bowled a delightfully late inswinger so beautiful to the eyes that it was justice that it got rewarded by getting past the straight drive that Vijay ambitioned for.

The stumps were shattered as there was only despair for the Indian opener in what could possibly be a career-affecting failure at this stage for him.

Vijay started off his tour down under with a fantastic ton against Cricket Australia XI in the warm-up game at Sydney, but the 35-year-old has to struggle since scoring 11 and 18 runs in the first and second innings respectively in the opening Test, which was played at the Adelaide Oval.

And, now following them up with disappointing zero.

Vijay walks a very thin rope now as far as his selection for the third Test in Melbourne is concerned as KL Rahul continues to enjoy selectors' faith and Prithvi Sharma is guaranteed to attain full fitness by then.

Starc can be proud to have delivered when his team needed him, though.