Jubilant Johnson to the fore

Australia pace bowler Mitchell Johnson admitted he had to overcome a nervous start before taking 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 the 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 in Bangalore.

After Brett Lee had dismissed Gautam Gambhir, 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 record of 11,953, was the most impressive as Johnson deceived the veteran with a slower ball that he spooned to Cameron White at short cover point.

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

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

Mitchell Johnson celebrates the key wicket of Sourav Ganguly late on the third day in Bangalore

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"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 own efforts, Johnson believes Shane Watson’s dismissal of Harbhajan Singh in the final session was the most crucial of the day.

Harbhajan and Zaheer Khan put on 80 for the eighth wicket as India rallied bravely late on, before Watson had him caught behind by Brad Haddin.

"The dismissal of Harbhajan definitely helps,” added Johnson. "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 batsman Rahul Dravid was a picture of concentration during his 104-ball 51 as he battled the slow wicket at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

While he conceded that India still had plenty of work to do, he believes they can still force victory.

"I think we are a little behind at this stage, but wickets in India usually tend to help spinners on the fourth and fifth days,” he said.

“The wickets here are usually slow and low. I guess we would have to fight hard to win this game.”