India have claimed three wickets in the opening session to be right on top at lunch on day three of the second Test in Mohali.

Mike Hussey worked his way to a half-century but got a thin edge to a quality Ishant Sharma delivery through to stand-in skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to depart for 54.

Brad Haddin followed soon after, being bowled through the gate by a beautiful Harbhajan Singh delivery, before Cameron White failed to pick Amit Mishra's googly and was also bowled.

Shane Watson, who has battled his way to an unbeaten 32 - marked with a number of boundaries to third man - and Brett Lee are the men at the crease. Australia are 174/7, still 96 runs adrift of avoiding the follow-on.

Australia's lack of a quality spinner was on show as Harbhajan and Mishra both extracted considerable turn from the wicket. Mishra in particular was impressive, turning the ball viciously with his stock leg-break and confusing the Australians with his good googly.

Play will resume at 06:40GMT.