Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (21 not out) and paceman Peter Siddle (34 not out) stood firm at the crease at the end of an exciting day's play, as the Indians lost some of their spark after bagging three quick wickets earlier in the day.
Indian paceman Zaheer Khan picked up two wickets and Ravichandran Ashwin took one, while Umesh Yadav ripped through Australia's top order, bagging three.
The match swung the way of the tourists when they dismissed captain Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey and Ed Cowan in stunning quick succession after tea.
Captain Clarke had been looking steady on 31 when he clipped the ball with his inside edge and onto the stumps, sending under-pressure veteran Hussey to the crease.
And luck was not with the West Australian, who just a ball later, leaned out of the way of a Zaheer bullet only to be given out as the ball brushed his sleeve.
Hussey looked baffled as he made his way back to the dressing rooms, out for a golden duck, with no decision review system in place to challenge the questionable decision.
After showing incredible patience to make it to 68 off 176 balls, Cowan was caught behind off the bowling of Ashwin and, unable to review the decision, was also sent back to the sheds.
Veteran former skipper Ricky Ponting lasted until 62, when he was caught in the slips off the bowling of Indian paceman Umesh Yadav.
Ponting and Cowan added 103 runs since coming together with the score at two for 46.
Australia lost David Warner for 37 and Shaun Marsh for a sixth-ball duck.
Warner, whose tally came off just 49 balls, pulled a six off third-Test seamer Yadav in the 12th over.
But Warner, also in his third Test, was beaten outside off stump next over by beanpole quick Ishant Sharma.
Play was delayed for four minutes by rain after the first hour and Warner was out first delivery on resumption when he gloved an attempted pull shot through to wicketkeeper MS Dhoni.
Warner had dominated a partnership of 46 with Cowan, who was on seven at the fall of the first wicket.
Marsh looked out of sorts after missing the series against New Zealand earlier this month with a back injury. The left-hander edged a catch to gully as Yadav claimed his second wicket in successive overs.
Ponting was cheered onto the arena at 2-46 and was struck on the helmet by Yadav's second delivery before kicking the ball away from his stumps.
The 37-year-old scored a two then fell over hitting a single to complete an anxious opening over with his Test career on the line.
Sharma, who troubled Ponting in Australia four years ago, had the former skipper playing and missing outside off stump from the first ball of the next over.
Only 23.5 overs were bowled in the first session and lunch was taken shortly before the scheduled 12.30pm when rain returned.
Captain Michael Clarke won the toss had no hesitation in batting first despite overcast conditions.
The home side wore black arm bands following the deaths of team media manager Lachy Patterson's twin baby daughters after complications at birth.
- With AAP