Offspinner Nathan Lyon produced a beautiful delivery to bowl India's Sachin Tendulkar on day three of the first Test but things went downhill fast.

Lyon had figures of 3-182 off 40 overs by day's end and India had recovered from 4-196 to take command at 8-515.

India will enter Monday's fourth day with a lead of 135 with two first-innings wickets in hand.

"We'd like him to bowl the ball that he bowled to Tendulkar every single ball but realistically we know that's never ever going to happen,'' Australia wicketkeeper Matthew Wade said on Sunday night.

"I thought he bowled quite well early today. He bowled a lot of overs so hopefully he can get it together and come back really strong.''

India captain MS Dhoni ripped the bowling to shreds and will resume on 206, having smashed 22 fours and five sixes from 243 deliveries.

Debutant tailender Bhuvenshwar Kumar has contributed 16 not out in a 109-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Dhoni.

Dhoni shared a 128-run stand for the fifth wicket with Virat Kohli (107) after Australia had been in a strong position with India 4-196 when Tendulkar was bowled by Lyon for 81.

"We certainly haven't lose any confidence in Nathan,'' Wade said.

"He bowled well at times and he got hit for a few runs at times.''

Wade said it was hard to say if a twin-spin attack would have worked against Dhoni's onslaught.

"He played really well so if we played two spinners he could have taken down the second spinner. Who knows?,'' Wade said.

James Pattinson claimed 4-89 while fellow quicks Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc were wicket-less.

Debutant seamer Moises Henriques removed Harbhajan Singh bowled for 11 at 8-406 but Australia were unable to make another breakthrough on day three.

- AAP