Australia lost three quick second-innings wickets late on day three in Adelaide but, with a 382-run lead, are still firmly in the driver's seat.

Having bowled India out for 272, Australian skipper Michael Clarke decided against enforcing the follow-on, only to see three of his men depart before the close of play.

Virat Kohli was a near lone ranger in the Indian innings, notching up his first Test ton, with only Wriddhiman Saha providing any kind of support.

The pitch looked a good one ahead of the day's play and the overnight batsmen - Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir - began promisingly. However, having seen off the opening bowlers, Peter Siddle proved too good for the duo.

Tendulkar (25) was the first to go, edging to second slip, while Gambhir (34) once again showed his incredible weakness against the short ball as he fended one to Michael Hussey at gully.

VVS Laxman's poor run continued as he handed spinner Nathan Lyon, who bowled well in the morning session, his only wicket when he edged an attempted cut to Brad Haddin.

Kohli was then joined by Saha and the pair put on on 114 for the sixth wicket and lasted all but the entire afternoon session. The duo mixed aggression with patience as they forced the Australian bowlers to toil in the afternoon heat. Such was the comfortable nature with which the batsmen progressed, Clarke was left rushing through part-timers and spinners in an effort to bring about the arrival of the second new ball.

It proved to be worth the wait, though, with Ryan Harris picking up his first wicket of the innings. It was Saha (25) who departed, misjudging a delivery outside the off-stump that jagged back a touch and crash into his off-stump as he chose to leave the ball.

With the resistance broken, Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus ran through the remainder of the order, with the former picking up a five-for - his first of the series.

Deciding to rest the fast bowlers and bat again rather than have India follow on, Australia lost three wickets in the space of 11 deliveries.

Virender Sehwag's decision to open with the spin of Ravichandran Ashwin paid dividends as he snapped up the wicket of David Warner (28) through a caught-and-bowled chance.

Shaun Marsh's wretched run of form continued as he was out lbw to Zaheer Khan for a duck. The number three has now made just 17 runs in his last eight Test innings.

The Indians were not done there, with Ashwin trappng Ed Cowan lbw too.

Clarke and Ricky Ponting were at the crease at the close, and while their second innings has certainly not gone according to plan, the hosts remain in control of the game.