With Australia dismissed for a below-par 177,the left-hander could yet return to the XI in the coming weeks unless the top six can find a way to prosper.

India cruised to 1/77 at stumps on the first day with skipper Rohit Sharma in ominous touch.

Waugh,who led Australia on the epic series in 2001,was stunned Head had lost his place.

“Hard to believe we can drop the number 4 ranked Test batsman in the world and probably our best batsman in the last 12 months plus he bowls better than average off-spin - let’s wait and see - maybe the Aussie selectors are geniuses #gamble #overanalysing? #waitandsee,” Waugh wrote on his Instagram account.

Hayden was another who could not believe Head was shelved.

“I can’t believe it. For me,he was the player of the[Australian] summer. I’m just speechless,” Hayden said.

“Totally different conditions to Brisbane,I know,but his 90 there was so good. He made it look flat even though it wasn’t. It was a raging green-top.”

Paine also expressed his surprise on Twitter,saying he would not have dropped Head.

Former wicketkeeper Brad Haddin backed selectors for picking a team he believed was most appropriate for the local conditions.

“I like the team,it is spin-friendly,” Haddin said. “Handscomb is known for being a really good player of spin bowling and has played well in India in the post.

“Travis Head’s record on the subcontinent is poor. It won’t be the last time we see him play on the subcontinent but he will need some time to get used to his game style in these conditions.”

The morale remains high in the dressing room,Handscomb said,despite Australia’s poor start in their bid to regain the cherished Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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