Adelaide, Jan 26: Virat Kohli's maiden Test ton and three quick wickets gave India something to cheer for, but Australia remained in command with a massive 382 runs lead after the third day's play of the fourth and the final cricket Test at the Adelaide Oval here Thursday.

India's first innings folded up for 272, in reply to Australia's 604 for seven, shortly after tea with Kohli scoring a valiant 116. Kholi also became the first Indian batsmen to score a century on the current tour. 

Peter Siddle was the pick of Australian bowlers with five for 49 while Ben Hilfenhaus bagged three for 62.

India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (2-24) then struck twice to remove Australian openers Ed Cowan (10) and David Warner (10) while pace spearhead Zaheer Khan (1-24) dismissed Shaun Marsh to leave the hosts at 50 for three in the second innings at stumps. Ricky Ponting (1) and skipper Michel Clarke (9) were at the crease.

Despite a poor start in the second innings, Australia remained on top of the Test. They also didn't ask India to bat again despite the fact that visitors fell 132 runs short of avoiding the follow-on. 

With bowlers tiring and two days in hand, Clarke decided to built on the first innings lead of 332 runs before setting a stiff target for the tourists, who are probably staring at another 0-4 whitewash, their second in seven months. 

Barring Kohli, the Indian batting crumbled yet again as they were bowled out post the tea break on a flat track after resuming at 61 for two. Kohli's innings remained the highlight of the day as he experienced some nervous moments while batting with the tail before getting his maiden Test century. 

Kohli and Wrridhiman Saha (35) put up a 114-run partnership to lend some respectability to the score after India were reeling at 111 for five before. Saha's resistance came to an end just before the break as he misjudged the line of a Ryan Harris delivery, leaving it to see his stumps rattled with India at 225 for six. 

Kohli, who has looked the most comfortable Indian batsman in the series against a relentless Australian attack, once again faced it with ease. The 23-year-old conjured up 11 boundaries during his 213-ball effort including the elegant flicks and shots played on the up through the off-side. As some of his senior teammates struggled against the rising ball, he had ample time to pull some of it to the ropes. 

Kohli was on the verge of losing out of partners after Siddle removed Ashwin (5) and Zaheer in successive deliveries to leave India 230 for eight. But Kohli found the perfect foil in statemate Ishant Sharma (16) as the duo added 33 runs for the ninth wickets during which Kohli also achieved his century.

In the morning, Siddle struck twice to remove Sachin Tendulkar (25) and Gautam Gambhir (34) while spinner Nathan Lyon picked up V.V.S.Laxman (18). 

Resuming at 61/2, Indian batsmen struggled to get their act right on a perfect batting track and could score just 61 runs losing three wickets during the first session of the day.

Spectators in large numbers turned up on Australia Day, hoping to see Tendulkar get his 100th international century in the city of Don Bradman. 

But Tendulkar edged a low catch to Ricky Ponting at second slip to make it 78/3 and Gambhir fell in Siddle's next over when the batsman popped a short ball to Mike Hussey at gully. 

Laxman's poor run in the series continued when he was caught behind, edging a cut shot from Lyon as keeper Brad Haddin pouched a neat catch.