Watson was unbeaten on 54, his third consecutive fifty in the series, while his opening partner Simon Katich was steady at 39 after Ricky Ponting won the toss and opted to bat.
It was just the kind of start Australia were looking for as they aim to level the series, having lost the first Test by one wicket.
Watson, who scored 126 and 56 in Mohali Test, batted with confidence under overcast conditions, making runs briskly.
He hit India's new ball bowlers Zaheer Khan and S Sreesanth, who replaced injured Ishant Sharma, for boundaries to set the tone for the visitors.
Watson survived a good leg-before appeal off Sreesanth to bat through the first session.
Katich was happy playing the second-fiddle as his 39 came from 90 balls with the help of six fours.
India skipper M S Dhoni, who lost his 10th successive toss, handed Test cap to Cheteshwar Pujara as Mohali Test hero VVS Laxman failed to recover from back injury.
Murali Vijay came in for injured Gautam Gambhir. Australia made one change, replacing fast bowler Doug Bollinger with debutant Peter George.
