Australia paceman Mitchell Johnson admitted he had to overcome a nervous beginning before claiming the wickets of four of the biggest names in international cricket on the third day of the opening Test against India.

The 26-year-old left-armer is playing his first Test on Indian soil, and just his ninth of a fledgling career, but he showed no signs of inexperience as he claimed the scalps of a quartet of accomplished batsmen to put Australia in control.

After Brett Lee had dismissed Gautam Gambhir to claim the first wicket of the day, Johnson removed Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman in a morning session that threatened to take the game away from India.

The wicket of Tendulkar, who began the day needing 77 runs to pass Brian Lara's Test run scoring record, was the most impressive as Johnson fooled the veteran with a slower ball that he could only spoon to Cameron White at short point.

Johnson added Sourav Ganguly to his impressive list after lunch, and while India battled back to reach stumps at 313 for eight, the Queenslander admitted he had enjoyed his day's work.

"I was very nervous bowling yesterday and a little bit this morning," Johnson said.

"So to get those wickets, those big names is pretty exciting for me. It definitely helps where we are with the team, but I think everyone bowled well today.

"We stuck at it most of the day and hopefully we can do it again."

Despite his efforts, Johnson believes it was Shane Watson's dismissal of Harbhajan Singh in the final session that was the most crucial of the day.

Harbhajan and Zaheer Khan put on an 80-run stand for the eighth wicket as the Indians rallied, before Watson had him caught by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

"The dismissal of Harbhajan definitely helps," he said.

"Harbhajan and Zaheer did get away from us a little bit. They got a good partnership going and for Watson to get that wicket definitely helps us going into tomorrow.

"Hopefully we can get the two wickets in the morning and bat on."

India right-hander Rahul Dravid was a picture of concentration during his 104-ball 51 as he battled the slow wicket at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

He was a touch unlucky to fall victim to Watson with replays suggesting his leg before dismissal could have been turned down.

And while he conceded that India still had plenty of work to do, Dravid believes they can still force a win.

"I think we are a little behind at this stage," he said.

"But wickets in India usually tend to help spinners on the fourth and fifth days. The wickets here are usually slow and low.

"I guess we would have to fight hard to win this game."