Mitchell Johnson triggered a woeful collapse from India at the Gabba, then needed to pitch in with the bat as Australia secured a tense four-wicket win in the second Test.

Johnson snared four wickets, including three in 10 minutes early on day four, to set Australia a victory target of 128 runs.

Australia’s response was nervy as tempers continued to flare between the two sides, with Steve Smith unhappy that Varun Aaron got in his way while chasing a second run.

But Mitch Marsh hit the winning runs alongside Johnson in the 24th over as the hosts claimed a 2-0 lead in the four-Test series.

David Warner and Shane Watson were both dismissed cheaply as Australia slumped to 2-25.

Chris Rogers crashed an aggressive half-century, forming a 63-run steadying stand with man of the match Smith.

India removed Rogers, Shaun Marsh, Smith and Brad Haddin in the final session, with second slip Virat Kohli no doubt cursing the fact he dropped Smith on nine.

It was a dramatic turnaround in the game – the fifth occasion in Test history that India lost inside four days after making 400 or more in the first innings.

Johnson clubbed 88 off 93 balls on Friday, turning the match on its head and lifting Australia to a first-innings lead of 97 runs.

The left-armer, who went wicketless in the first innings at the venue for the first time since 2010, then sparked his side with the ball as India were rolled for 224.

The tourists resumed at 1-71 on Saturday, their woes starting before play when opener Shikhar Dhawan was hit on the wrist in the nets and retired hurt.

India slumped to 5-87 in the space of 6.2 overs, Johnson’s pace and bounce removing Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma.

Rahane popped up a catch to Lyon at gully, while Sharma was caught behind.

On both occasions, third umpire Simon Fry took his time checking for a no-ball with Johnson’s foot barely behind the paint.

“I actually thought the second one – it may have been very touch and go,” injured quick Ryan Harris said, while calling the game for ABC radio.

“There was a bit of debate in our room whether there was anything behind, but the umpires made the decision. It was a good decision.”

Dhawan returned to the crease, counter-attacking the hosts with bat and mouth.

The left-hander, fined for his role in a heated confrontation during the first Test, exchanged sharp words with Watson and Warner when the teams walked off at lunch.

The opener raced to 81 when he missed a sweep shot to be trapped lbw by Nathan Lyon.

Ishant Sharma bowled a sensational opening spell of four overs to dismiss Warner and Watson, much to Dhawan’s delight.

But the tourists simply didn’t have enough runs on the board.