India were 62-2 at stumps after a rain-affected day in Brisbane with a strong bowling performance pegging Australia back.
The hosts came into the second day of the Test on 274-5, but lost their last five wickets for under 100 runs to finish 369 all out.
Thangarasu Natarajan and Washington Sundar were the pick of India’s inexperienced bowling attack, taking three wickets apiece.
India opener Shubman Gill was back in the hut early, dismissed by Pat Cummins for the third time in the series. His partner, Rohit Sharma, looked solid and set, until he was deceived in the flight by Nathan Lyon and holed out to long on.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane were into the rebuilding job on 62-2, before the rain came down and eventually forced stumps to be called early due to the wetness of the outfield.