In a truncated opening session that included an initial 30-minute stoppage for rain, Australia shone early and then had to grit it out late as heavy clouds returned.
Rain then set in again to force an early lunch and wiped out the second session entirely, with just 13.2 overs bowled by the time tea was eventually taken.
Large puddles have also formed on the surface, meaning any restart to play on Saturday will likely require a substantial clean up.
Usman Khawaja (19 not out) had looked particularly good in the brief periods of play, pulling Mohammed Siraj for two boundaries and clipping Jasprit Bumrah off his toes for another.
Out of form and without a century in his past 25 completed Test innings, Khawaja appeared to play with intent from the outset.
Usman Khawaja puts away his first boundary of the day with this cracking shot off Siraj 👌— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/xHJlbrFF8oDecember 14, 2024
Nathan McSweeney was not out at the other end on four.
India captain Rohit Sharma had no hesitation in bowling first after winning the toss, with heavy cloud cover overhead an even covering of grass on the wicket.
But his bowlers failed to get it right early, with Siraj in particular guilty of being too short and Bumrah verging on being a little too straight at times.
After the first rain delay India appeared to regather, and began to regularly beat the edge as clouds gathered before the second and more lengthy downpour.
With the five-Test series locked at 1-1, Australia have brought Josh Hazlewood straight back into the team after he missed the 10-wicket win at Adelaide Oval with a side strain.
His selection leaves Scott Boland as the unlucky man of Australian cricket, having now played in just 11 of 34 Tests since his magical 2021 debut.
India have made two changes with seamer Akash Deep and spinner Ravindra Jadeja coming in for Harshit Rana and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Akash has taken 10 wickets in five Tests for India, but was left out for the start of the tour after being largely ineffective at home against New Zealand.
Jadeja's call up means India have used three spinners across the first three Tests, with Washington Sundar playing in Perth and Ashwin in Adelaide.
KL Rahul is again listed to open with the out-of-form Rohit expected to stay at No.6 for the tourists.
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