Debutant Josh Hazlewood and stand-in captain Steven Smith helped Australia fight back on day two of the second Test in Brisbane.
India were looking to post a commanding first-innings total having resumed on 311 for four, but Hazlewood secured his maiden Test five-for at the first time of asking as Australia restricted the tourists to 408 all out at the Gabba.
David Warner and Shane Watson made swift starts before Chris Rogers, with 55, and then Smith, leading the side in Michael Clarke's injury-enforced absence, provided the foundation for what they hope will be a solid score.
Smith was unbeaten on 65 alongside Mitchell Marsh and they will resume on 221 for four - 187 runs behind.
Hazlewood, who removed Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli yesterday despite suffering cramp, today accounted for Ajinkya Rahane, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin.
India will be ruing their missed opportunity after finishing day one in such a promising position, with their final six wickets falling for just 87 runs to prompt an early lunch.
Rahane could add only six to his overnight 75 before edging a Hazlewood beauty behind.
After Watson had ousted Rohit Sharma for 32, Hazlewood had Ashwin held at first slip for a brisk 35. Hazlewood completed his five-for in his next over when Dhoni was caught behind for 33.
Spinner Nathan Lyon then wrapped up the innings with wickets in consecutive overs.
Rogers and Warner made a bright start in reply but, having accumulated six fours in a knock of 29, Warner tried to pull Umesh Yadav and succeeded only in spooning to long-leg.
Watson raced into the twenties with a succession of boundaries and looked destined for a big score until he was dismissed by a fantastic low catch at mid-on that Shikhar Dhawan off Ashwin.
Rogers registered his sixth Test half-century by cutting Ashwin to the ropes, but Yadav had him caught behind in the over before tea.
With Australia seemingly stuttering on 121 for three, Smith and Shaun Marsh set about rebuilding and, having played himself cautiously in, Smith went after Ashwin with two sixes and a four in one over before notching his 10th Test fifty.
Shaun Marsh was proving to be a capable ally until nicking Yadav to first slip. His brother Mitchell and Smith guided Australia to stumps, which came slightly early due to bad light.