Kohli and Rahane rescue India after a horror opening
Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane hit unbeaten half-centuries to leave India trailing Australia by 154 runs at stumps on day two of the second Test.
Captain Kohli made 82 off 181 balls, including nine fours, and Rahane added 51 as the tourists closed on 172 for three in Perth.
After Australia were all out for 326 in the first innings, India made a dreadful early response with openers Lokesh Rahul and Murali Vijay dismissed for a gain of only two runs.
Vijay was clean bowled for a duck on the final ball of the third over just before lunch by Mitchell Starc, while a superb yorker from Josh Hazlewood removed Rahul for two 13 deliveries later.
India, who lead the series 1-0 after victory in Adelaide, finally put some meaningful runs on the board as Kohli shared a third-wicket stand of 74 with Cheteshwar Pujara.
Pujara was then undone by another Starc delivery, edging it into the hands of Australia captain Tim Paine on 24.
The hosts began the day with a lead of 277 and four wickets remaining following half-centuries from Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch and Travis Head on Friday.
Paine and Pat Cummins helped add an extra 49 runs to that total. Cummins contributed 19 before being skittled by Umesh Yadav, while Paine hit 38 off 89 balls prior to being trapped lbw by Jasprit Bumrah.
Pace bowler Ishant Sharma, who removed Peter Handscomb and Head on day one, ended the innings with figures of four for 41 after seeing Starc and Hazlewood each caught by Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.