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Mitchell Starc set the tone for Australia on the opening day of their four-Test series against India, living up to his reputation as a pink-ball wizard.

Nathan Lyon wasn't surprised Mitchell Starc enhanced his reputation as the world's premier pink-ball bowler after returning from compassionate leave for the day-night Test.

Starc bowled Prithvi Shaw for a duck with the second delivery of Australia's first Test against India then removed Ajinkya Rahane with Thursday's second new ball.

It helped the hosts reduce Virat Kohli's side to 6-233 after a topsy-turvy opening day of the series opener.

Starc arrived in Adelaide on Monday then bowled in the nets on Tuesday, which was his only training session with the squad before the first Test started.

But there was no sign of rust.

"He's world class. He's an X-factor," Lyon said.

"We all know how good a bowler he is, then you throw a pink ball into his hands and he grows an extra pair of legs.

"He's exceptional and the way he came back and started, after having some personal leave, was absolutely incredible.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from Mitch, he's a world-class player."

Starc struggled to produce his best in the ODI series between the rivals, suffered a minor rib injury then left the Twenty20 squad's biosecurity bubble because of a family illness.

Starc now has world-best 44 wickets in day-night Tests, having been a key part of Australia's pink-ball dominance at Adelaide Oval.

Coach Justin Langer predicted something special from the left-armer earlier this week.

"He's very, very determined," Langer said.

"Often when you go through what he's going through at the moment it gives you a bit of fire.

"He's certainly got that look in his eye at the moment."