Debutants Joel Paris and Scott Boland endured wicketless introductions to international cricket as Australia's depleted fast-bowling stocks were thrust into the spotlight courtesy of a double century stand from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. 
Between them, Paris (0-53) and Boland (0-74) served up 18 overs for 127 runs - hardly the start they would have envisaged on the most fast bowler-friendly deck in the country.
Boland's death bowling has been exceptional in the Big Bash this summer, but on the biggest stage his bag of tricks was nowhere to be seen as Sharma took a liking to multiple full-tosses, slapping him for 30 runs in his final two overs.
Sharma (170 from 162 balls) became the first Indian to score an ODI century at the WACA Ground and took his tally of centuries against Australia to four from 19 innings. Comparatively, Sachin Tendulkar made nine centuries against the Australians from 70 digs.
Sharma's knock was second only to Dave Warner's 178 against Afghanistan for the highest score at Perth.
With India in cruise control at 1-243, Kohli (91 from 97 balls) heaved a delivery from James Faulkner to long-on, ending a 207 run stand - the second highest Indian ODI partnership against Australia.
A faint edge squeezed to fine leg was all that separated Paris from a wicket off his maiden delivery. He has always opted for a fuller length to extract maximum swing, but erred from his simple game plan as Sharma hooked him for six early in his spell.
Overall, Australia's other paceman dropped short more than they should have, but the fuller-pitched deliveries were their Achilles heel as they were dispatched with ease.
Josh Hazlewood, the most experienced seamer, was not flustered as he bounced out Shikhar Dhawan with the score on 36, but India raced to 52 runs from 10 overs.
The bounce and carry of the WACA pitch distorted the lack of pace in Australia's attack. No bowler broke the 140km/h mark. It was this lack of extreme pace - and an attack bereft of swing - that allowed Sharma and Kohli to turn a perceived weakness against fast bowling into an overwhelming strength, as they cut and hooked with disdain to the pleasure of Indian supporters.
The absence of Mitchell Starc - the world's premier limited-overs speedster - was as profound as the wide-brimmed yellow hat George Bailey donned at cover for most of the afternoon.
It was ironic that Steve Smith said after losing the toss that he would have had a bowl. India were criticised because there was more moisture than usual in the Perth pitch, but their batsmen, under the Perth sunshine, grafted out an imposing total of 3/309.
Spinner Glenn Maxwell sent down just three overs for 22 runs.