Virat Kohli hit a memorable maiden hundred but Australia held the upper hand after bowling India out for 272 after tea on day three of the fourth Test at Adelaide Oval.
Australia claimed a 332-run lead on the first innings and captain Michael Clarke declined to enforce the follow-on.
The home side’s batsmen will have another hour of batting on Thursday before stumps.
Peter Siddle took 5-49 from 15 overs for Australia on a lifeless pitch in another gutsy performance from the new leader of the pace attack.
Kohli was last man out for 116 after hitting 11 fours and one six and engaging in a series of verbal battles with Australia’s fielders.
At one stage, Kohli was almost run out for 99 and appeared to take offence at a comment from an Australian player, leading ex-skipper Ricky Ponting to step in and physically restrain Kohli from walking towards one of the Australian players to continue their argument.
Kohli also complained to both umpires about the behaviour of the Australians.
India had resumed on 2-61 on Thursday in perfect batting conditions and the tourists lost three wickets before lunch.
Siddle had superstar Sachin Tendulkar (25) caught at second slip to make it 3-78 and Gautam Gambhir (34) fell in Siddle’s next over, caught at gully.
VVS Laxman (120 runs at 17.14) continued his poor series when he was caught behind for 18 off spinner Nathan Lyon’s bowling.
Kohli dominated a partnership of 114 with wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha (35).
Saha shouldered arms in the last over before tea and was bowled by an off cutter from Ryan Harris, leaving India at 6-225.
Harris made the breakthrough in the 85th over and fifth with the second new ball.
A fired-up Siddle charged in to claim his first five-wicket haul of the series with two wickets in successive deliveries in the 88th over.
Ravi Ashwin (five) might have been unlucky to be given out lbw and Zaheer Khan played a wild slog first ball to be caught behind.
Ben Hilfenhaus (3-62) ended the innings by bowling Ishant Sharma for 16 then trapping Kohli lbw in successive overs.
Australia lead the four-match series 3-0 and Clarke faces a tense decision on when to declare and give his bowlers enough time to get another 10 wickets.