Mitchell Johnson’s Australia defeated India in the second Test at the Gabba. Source: Getty Images

Firebrands Lillee and Thomson made the Gabba and world cricket shudder with a ferocious assault on England in a famous Ashes onslaught in 1974.

And Johnson stunned India in a similar fashion on Saturday, taking 4-61 to lead the Aussies to a hard-fought four-wicket win with an intimidating spell of fast bowling which repriced his Ashes heroics of last year.

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Mitchell Johnson dominated day four at the Gabba, finishing with four crucial wickets. Source: Getty Images

Johnson had made the Gabba his personal playground and he now has 30 Test wickets at an average of 23 at the bouncy Brisbane venue.

He has slotted in between Lillee (31 wickets) and Thomson (29) on the list of top Gabba Test wicket-takers which is headed by Shane Warne (68 wickets).

Johnson indicated he had been fired up by Indian sledging from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli earlier in the match.

Mitchell Johnson continues to punish India for sledging with an incredible spell during the first session on day four of the second Test

“The more that comes my way the better,” Johnson said of the Indian verbals.

Dave Warner added: “A couple of the Indian boys revved up Mitchell Johnson yesterday, which was a good thing for us.’’

With Johnson helping to demolish India for 224, Australia was set 128 to win but the chase had plenty of nervous moments.

David Warner has only managed six runs on day four of the second Test against India after injuring his thumb early in Australia's innings.

The Aussies fell to 2-22 with Shane Watson out for a duck in ordinary fashion, top-edging an Ishant Sharma bouncer which looped in the air to Indian captain MS Dhoni.

And Dave Warner was struck on the thumb in Umesh Yadav’s first over and struggled to bat thereafter, until he edged Ishant Sharma behind.

The good news was the early indications are Warner may be fit for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

More good news was the return to form of Chris Rogers who had had a nice Test with 55 in both innings as he helped Australia (6-130) hunt down the victory target.

Chris Rogers cuts during his second-innings half-century. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

Rogers has now fortified his spot for the rest of the summer and probably next year’s Ashes in England.

Butterfingered India looked to have blown their chance when rookie Aussie skipper Steve Smith, Smith, who was named man of the match for his emotional first innings century. was dropped on nine by Virat Kohli at slip.

Australia continue to tear through India, beating them by four wickets in the second Test at the Gabba.

Smith immediately looked to the heavens, perhaps thinking of his great mate Phillip Hughes, and later he clattered Varun Aaron to the mid-wicket boundary with a shot that resembled a tennis smash.

Later Smith was run out for 28, after he was accidentally obstructed by the bowler, while Shaun Marsh was caught behind for 17. Things got edgy when Brad Haddin failed again, hooking a delivery down the throat of fine leg.

Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Marsh celebrate Australia’s victory over India in the second Test at the Gabba. Source: Getty Images

India made the home side work for its four-wicket victory but near enough wasn’t good enough for the tourists and Australia now have a 2-0 advantage in the four-Test series.

Earlier, in a frantic morning session, it wasn’t the state of Gabba practice pitches which caused India to lose 4-11 in an extraordinary 20 minutes.

Steve Smith fronts the media after his first Test as Australian captain.

While India moaned and whinged and complained after two batsmen were injured in the nets before play, they should have been more concerned about a Johnson rampage.

After belting 88 with the bat, Johnson’s confidence was soaring as he bowled Virat Kohli and then sent Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma packing in a scary spell of fast bowling.

Virat Kohli is bowled by Mitchell Johnson during the Australian fast bowler’s fierce spell against India on day four at the Gabba. Pictuire: Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

It was almost impossible to tell if Johnson had overstepped the crease with both dismissals, but third umpire Simon Fry ruled the fast bowler had landed a millimetre behind the line.

Test rookie Josh Hazlewood (2-74) was back in business when MS Dhoni shuffled across the crease and was trapped LBW in bizarre fashion.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon (2-33) also had a nice day out to equal Ashley Mallet in second place on the list of Australian Test off-spinners.

Lyon is now within striking distance of the wicket-taking record held by 19th-century tweaker Hugh Trumble.

Nathan Lyon is now equal with Ashley Mallet in second place on the wicket list of Australian Test off-spinners. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

The 27-year-old’s career was at the crossroads 18 months ago when he was dumped during a tour of India, but Lyon held his nerve to fight back from the demotion.

Shikhar Dhawan made 81 for India after being initially unable to resume his innings as a result of being struck on the wrist in the nets before play.

India captain MS Dhoni fronts the media after his side's second Test loss to Australia at the Gabba.

The Indian board blamed the Gabba for causing injuries to their two stars, with Dhawan hurt and Kohli also hit in the nets.

But respected Brisbane curator Kevin Mitchell hit back, claiming the practice wickets were “just fine” and mirrored the state of the Test pitch.