India will resume with an imposing 346-run lead on day four of the third test despite their stunning collapse at the MCG when Australia paceman Pat Cummins snagged 4/0 in eight consecutive deliveries.
The tourists reached 54/5 at stumps on day three in Melbourne, having opted against enforcing the follow-on when they rolled Australia for 151.
The much-maligned MCG pitch erupted to life on what is traditionally moving day of any Test, with 15 wickets falling as Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah both made a mockery of batsmen.
India remain well placed to snatch a 2-1 series lead that will put them in the box seat for a maiden test series win in Australia.
But Cummins, bending his back for a third consecutive day, gave the 33,447-strong crowd hope of a miraculous turnaround by obliterating India's top order.
The right-armer bounced out Hanuma Vihari then dismissed Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara for ducks, both caught by Marcus Harris at leg gully.
Ajinkya Rahane was caught behind down the leg side then Cummins went within a whisker of completing a hat-trick when Rohit Sharma steered the next ball dangerously close to Harris.
Sharma later fell for five, out edging to Josh Hazlewood as India crashed to 44/5.
The carnage gave Australia hope of avoiding defeat but history and a horrible first innings show how imposing their challenge already is.
The highest successful run-chase in an MCG Test came in 1928, when England finished 332/7.
Australia's top six, unable to fill the immense void left by the absence of suspended superstars Steve Smith and David Warner, surrendered in collapses of 29/3 and 13/3 on Friday.
Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Travis Head and Mitch Marsh all got in and got out.
Australia's first innings spanned just 66.5 overs.
To put that number in perspective, Pujara and Kohli's record 170-run partnership in the same match lasted longer.
Bumrah spearheaded an inspired Indian attack on day three, grabbing a career- best haul of 6/33.
Harris and Paine, who faced 85 balls, both top-scored with 22.
Paine spent longer at the crease than any member of Australia's top six but couldn't manufacture any miracles with the tail.
Harris, having copped a thunderous bouncer blow to the helmet from Bumrah on Thursday, was out hooking another short ball from the same paceman.
Bumrah trapped Shaun Marsh lbw with a textbook slower ball to end Friday's morning session then made a mess of Head's stumps.
The 25-year-old fired out Paine, Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon to clean up the tail shortly after tea
AAP
