India captain Virat Kohli recovered from being hit on the helmet by the first ball he faced to underpin India's decent response to Australia's strong first-innings total in Adelaide.
Kohli's impressive 184-ball innings of 115 on day three propelled the tourists to 369 for five at stumps– still 148 behind after Australia declared on 517 for seven before the start of play.
There was a heart-in-mouth moment when he first arrived at the crease though, with Mitchell Johnson's short-pitched delivery hitting him full-on in the helmet.
With much of Australia still coming to terms with the death of Phillip Hughes from similar circumstances, there was genuine concern as the hosts surrounded the Indian skipper to check he was not hurt, while captain Michael Clarke comforted Johnson.
But Kohli was fine and ensured his side have a fighting chance going into day four by building key partnerships with Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma.
With the sun shining once more after yesterday's interruptions, Australia declared their innings before the start of play.
Shikhar Dhawan was first out for 25 off Ryan Harris, but Murali Vijay hit Nathan Lyon for two sixes before he fell victim to Johnson for 53.
Once Kohli was given chance to settle, he and Pujara got to work until the latter was bowled by Lyon.
Rahane also fell to the spinner for 62, before Kohli brought up his century in style by punishing Mitchell Marsh's poor delivery to claim his 12th and final four of the day over the midwicket boundary.
Johnson made the key breakthrough for the hosts as another bouncer dislodged Kohli shortly before stumps.