On a disastrous day for Australia, the home side went to stumps on Sunday in utter disarray at 3-12 after losing debutant opener Nathan McSweeney for a duck early in their record run chase of 534.
Captain Pat Cummins, who normally bats at No.8, promoted himself after India star Jasprit Bumrah (2-1) removed McSweeney in a bid to shield the out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne.
But Cummins (two) lasted just eight balls, bringing Labuschagne to the crease for nine tense minutes before the close of day three in any case.
Labuschagne, who made just two in the first innings, was then trapped lbw for three by Bumrah to end a nightmare day for Australia.
India's hungry batters feasted on Australia in searing Perth heat to declare their second innings on 6-487 only 30 minutes before stumps.
Effortless! — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) Kohli moves into the 90s #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/GxGEKCDjXcNovember 24, 2024
Young superstar Yashasvi Jaiswal's brilliant 161 and Virat Kohli's back-to-form unbeaten 100 powered India to a stranglehold grip on a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
India were in full control when Kohli entered at 2-275, giving the veteran superstar a golden opportunity to find the red-ball form that had deserted him for much of the last five years.
The former India captain grabbed that chance, growing only better as his innings went on to bring up his 30th Test century, and first since July 2023.
Kohli had rediscovered his mojo when India were considering a late declaration, deciding to ramp up his aggression to reach three figures so Australia could bat before stumps.
The 36-year-old brought up just his third Test century since 2020 by sweeping part-timer Labuschagne to the boundary.
It was his seventh Test century in Australia.
At one stage, Kohli smashed a cut shot for six, with the ball then ricocheting off the boundary rope to hit an unsuspecting security guard in the head.
The guard was assessed by medical staff and taken from the field.
Nathan Lyon (l) and teammates weren't alone in their suffering, with a security guard hit by a six. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)
Australia will fall to their first red-ball defeat at Optus Stadium, unless they pull off the highest successful run chase in Test history, or somehow hang on for a draw.
But with the pitch becoming harder to bat on, Australia have no realistic hope of achieving either option.
With the temperature soaring to a high of 36C in Perth on Sunday, India made Australia bake in the field for 135 overs across more than a day and a half.
After being dismissed for a duck in the first innings in his first Test on Australian soil, Jaiswal solidified his status as one of world cricket's rising superstars with a knock that will remembered fondly by Indian supporters.
Starting Sunday unbeaten on 90, the 22-year-old quickly reached his fourth Test century when he ramped Josh Hazlewood over fine leg for six.
The left-hander triumphantly raised his hands before hugging opening partner KL Rahul.
Yashasvi Jaiswal celebrates reaching 150 on day three in Perth. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)
Jaiswal and Rahul (77), who was only recalled to the India team because captain Rohit Sharma was on parental leave, put on a 201-run stand - the highest opening partnership by an Indian pair in Australia.
The duo eclipsed the previous mark of 191, set by Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth at the SCG in 1986.
Despite two Test centuries in India and another away to the struggling West Indies, doubts had lingered over how Jaiswal would perform in Australian conditions.
But he has excelled on a pace-friendly Perth pitch that has admittedly become easier for batting than when 17 wickets tumbled on a chaotic opening day.
KL Rahul played a strong support role to Yashasvi Jaiswal, contributing 77. (AP PHOTO)
With Australia heading towards just their second overall loss in Perth against India - and first since 2008 at the WACA Ground - Cummins' team would have to defy history.
The last time Australia recovered from a 1-0 deficit and came back to win a Test series was in the 1997 Ashes in England.
Australia last won a Border-Gavaskar series in 2014/15, with India holding the trophy since 2017.
In their first innings, the Aussies were skittled for their lowest home total - 104 - against India since 1981, replying to the tourists' 150.
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