Umpires took players from the Gabba with India 0-8 in their third over, after Australia declared at 7-89 following a chaotic 18-over cameo after lunch on the final day.
An early tea was call and heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast for Brisbane on Wednesday afternoon, meaning the most likely outcome is the series will remain level at 1-1.
Steve Smith is back on his way to the pavilion— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) 📺 Watch #AUSvIND LIVE on Kayo: https://t.co/vG2uGJTaeq�� BLOG: https://t.co/VJOVl5ZkEd🔢 MATCH CENTRE: https://t.co/lFD9Qf9Og8 pic.twitter.com/eE0pfHIintDecember 18, 2024
After India were bowled out for 260 and rain washed out most of the first session, Australia went all out in their bid to try and set up a contest.
Almost all batters were out playing attacking shots, with Mitch Marsh walking out at No.4 and Steve Smith at No.6.
Usman Khawaja was bowled by Jasprit Bumrah on eight, while Marnus Labuschagne was caught behind off the quick on one.
Nathan McSweeney also played a poor shot to be caught behind cutting Akash Deep on four, while Marsh also edged off to Akash on two.
Australia then fell to 5-33 when Steve Smith was caught behind down legside off Mohammed Siraj on four.
Travis Head (17), Alex Carey (20no) and Pat Cummins (22) added some respectability to the board, as the only men to reach double figures.
The hosts will argue the wickets were in the interest of team play, given the match situation.
But it will also shine a light on the out-of-form top order, with Labuschagne's 70 in Adelaide the only half-century from any of the top three in this series.
Mohammed Siraj was among the wicket takers as India crashed through the Aussie top-order. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)
And while Khawaja and McSweeney have struggled for runs, 19-year-old Sam Konstas has continued to score big in domestic cricket.
Josh Inglis also remains with the Test squad as a back-up batter, after a big start to the summer in the Sheffield Shield.
Australia's declaration also threatened to put more overs into the legs of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, following Josh Hazlewood's calf injury on Tuesday.
With Hazlewood out for the rest of the series, Â Cummins (4-81) and Mitchell Starc (3-83) were forced to bowl 46 overs between them in India's first-innings.
A draw at the Gabba would mean India need win only one of the last two Tests to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, as the current holders of the prize.
