Virat Kohli celebrates his century at the Adelaide Oval. Photo by Scott Barbour Source: Getty Images

Kohli (115) showed why Test great Adam Gilchrist predicted a tough series leading India and could prove the genesis of the game’s premier batsman with a seventh ton in 30 Tests.

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India finished 5-369 at stumps trailing Australia’s first innings 7-517 (dec) by 148 runs.

Kohli exited after a 74-run, fifth-wicket stand with undefeated Rohit Sharma (33).

The stand-in India skipper was caught by a diving Ryan Harris as Johnson launched a late assault before stumps. Keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha remained not out 1.

Virat Kohli of India is congratulated by Rohit Sharma as he reaches his century. Photo by Scott Barbour Source: Getty Images

Kohli reprised the pluck and passion that delivered his maiden Test ton (116) here in 2012. However Nathan Lyon (2- 103) would also frustrate India as he did in Adelaide three years ago while Harris (1-49) was Australia’s most frugal and consistent force.

“They’re a team full of superstars,” Lyon said.

“Credit to Virat Kohli. He has led his team very well.

Australian quick Mitchell Johnson was fired up after removing Murali Vijay, but showed his softer side after hitting Virat Kohli on the helmet with the entire team showing concern for the Indian skipper.

“The game’s still in the balance. If we’re able to take these five wickets and get a good lead then the pressure’s going to be right on.”

Peter Siddle (0-62) was restricted to 13 overs by illness after starting well below par in his first over where the seamer struggled to bowl faster than 120km/h.

Kohli, filling in for injured skipper MS Dhoni, will feel a little sick and sore tonight after a 150km/h Johnson missile crashed into the India crest on his helmet from his first ball faced in the 31st over.

Mitchell Johnson hits Virat Kohli in the helmet with a bouncer. Photo by Michael Dodge Source: Getty Images

However it was Johnson who was left more shaken and out of sorts after the incident.

The venom and guile that powered Johnson’s bone-breaking escapades against England and South Africa in the past year deserted the spearhead until finding his mojo with five overs remaining.

Former Australian speedster Brett Lee noted Johnson “needed to put everything out of his mind and bowl fast” and the 33-year-old successfully recalibrated.

David Warner is supported by umpire Ian Gould on day three. Photo by Michael Dodge Source: Getty Images

Kohli would have faced a short reign as the world’s most marketable sporting commodity if not for the helmet that shuddered under the impact of Johnson’s blow.

Michael Clarke had asked for a big, pre-lunch push from Harris and Johnson to break a threatening, 81-run second wicket stand between Murali Vijay (53 and Cheteshwar Pujara (73. The Australian skipper got all that and more.

Johnson would soften up Vijay with a blow to the shoulder followed by a searing bouncer past the opener’s grill in the 29th over.

Nathan Lyon talks to the press after day three of the first Test against India at Adelaide Oval.

Vijay would edge to keeper Brad Haddin in the left-armed’s next over, consigning Kohli to a frightful introduction, misjudging and ducking in to a brutal lifter. Johnson checked Kohli before being ushered away by Clarke as all the images of Phillip Hughes’ Sydney demise to a bouncer on November 25 came rushing back.

Kohli would emerge with clarity and conviction with a super knock. A man who averaged 13 in five Tests against England this northern summer is distinguished by his love of the cut and thrust in Australian conditions that have traditionally consumed Indian sides.

Michael Clarke chats with Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson. Photo by Robert Cianflone Source: Getty Images

Kohli put on an 81-run third wicket with Pujara then 101 with Ajinkya Rahane (62) before off-spinner Lyon intervened. Lyon laboured for three wicket at 140 against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates last month but relished a return to the turn and bounce of Australian conditions.

Having declared overnight and fielded at mid-off in the first session, Clarke went off the field for treatment on his problem back in the second session. The skipper returned for the final session but is in doubt for the second Test in Brisbane starting November 17.

Brendon Julian and Stuart Clark review day three of the first Test between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval.

India remains 158 runs behind Australia’s first-innings 517 with two full days of forecast sunshine to play in the opening Test.

Kohli’s 115 threatened to diminish the Aussies’ stranglehold on the match, while his 101-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane was India’s first century stand in five Tests.

Bowling hero Ryan Harris held a mistimed pull shot from a Mitchell Johnson short ball with a brilliant diving catch at deep backward square to remove danger man Kohli with just two overs left in the day.

Cheteshwar Pujara talks to the press after day three of the first Test between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval.

Rohit Sharma (33no) and Wriddhiman Saha (1no) are the unbeaten batsmen.

India scored 146 for the loss of two wickets in an extended final session.

Kohli was dismissed for 115 when he was caught on the backward square-leg boundary hooking Mitchell Johnson.

Johnson had earlier welcomed Kohli to the crease with a vicious bouncer that struck the batsman flush in the helmet.