Former Test opener Simon Katich has fired up over Australia’s pedestrian over rate and called for harsher penalties for captains.

On day one, the Aussies bowled India out for 180 in two sessions. But the final wicket of Nitish Kumar Reddy fell in just the 45th over.

The Aussies were behind the over rate virtually from the get-go as the quicks bowled in tandem all day. Nathan Lyon bowled only the one over.

In commentary for SEN earlier in the innings, Katich labelled the horrific over-rate a “disgrace”.

“This will be the 22nd over bowled in nearly two hours of cricket. I know there has been wickets, but that’s a disgrace. That’s ridiculous,” Katich said in a discussion with 9News and SEN’s Tom Morris.

Captains and teams can cop fines for slow over rates, as well as points penalties in the World Test Championship.

Following the first Test between New Zealand and England at Hagley Oval, players from both teams were fined 15 per cent of their match fees, and both were docked three points in the WTC.

“Captains are responsible, we know they are, because they’re the ones that are copping fines,” Katich continued.

“But we know the fines aren’t working because it hasn’t changed anything. Potentially it’s going to be suspensions for Test matches.

“And if it’s the very next Test, you’re losing your skipper and that’s maybe how tough it has to be to get this up to scratch because it’s not good enough.”