India opener KL Rahul has never faced fast bowling as frightening as what Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood produced early on day two in Dharamsala.
Rahul successfully negotiated a hostile morning burst from both Hazlewood and Cummins on Sunday's day two of the Test series decider.
Skipper Steve Smith will call on the new-ball pairing, who have delivered a combined 39 overs in the match so far, to step up again on Monday morning.
India will resume at 6-248, with Australia holding a 52-run lead and the game in the balance.
Cummins and Hazlewood generated a potent mix of pace, bounce, swing and accuracy with the new ball.
Rahul, who eventually fell to a Cummins bouncer after lunch, has never seen anything like it.
"I can say it has been the toughest session I have faced in Test cricket so far," the 24-year-old said, having debuted at the Boxing Day Test in 2014 when he faced an attack spearheaded by Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris.
"They put the ball in the right areas, they swung the ball, they bowled with a lot of pace and a lot of venom.
"I was thoroughly enjoying it."
Rahul noted the pitch was "obviously helping them as well", adding he was impressed with how Hazlewood and Cummins kept their pace up throughout their morning spells.
"The conditions were nice and cool so I guess they could bowl longer spells," he said.
"They didn't get really tired. You can say that he (Cummins) has been the guy who as a fast bowler has challenged us in this series."
Cummins, who suffered a series of serious injuries after sparkling on debut in 2011, played his second Test last week in Ranchi.
He was sent for precautionary scans then given the green light to back up. The right-armer hasn't shown any signs of fatigue despite the quick turnaround.
"He really showed he is world class," offspinner Nathan Lyon said of Cummins. "Josh Hazlewood has been the same.
"The way Josh and Patty went about it was exceptional.
"They work well together and it's great signs for Australian cricket. It's exciting to see Patty Cummins back and bowling fast."
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