Dashing middle-order strokeplayer Virat Kohli has leapt into the void following Sachin Tendulkar’s dismissal to lead India’s charge in the first Test against Australia.

India reached 4-263 at lunch on Sunday’s third day of play in reply to Australia’s 380 after resuming on 3-182.

Offspinner Nathan Lyon (1-96) claimed the key wicket of Tendulkar for 81 but the home side have moved on comfortably in Chennai with Kohli on 83 not out and skipper MS Dhoni unbeaten on 37 off 42 balls.

Kohli’s last Test against Australia was in Adelaide in January 2012 when the right-hander hit his maiden hundred.

The 24-year-old now has a total of three centuries on the board and is heading towards his fourth in his 15th match after hitting 10 fours and one six from 173 deliveries.

Dhoni’s cross-bat swipes have helped the skipper add 67 in 67 minutes for the fifth wicket with Kohli.

Thousands of face-painted fans queued impatiently outside Chidamabaram Stadium on Sunday for a glimpse of Tendulkar scoring his first Test hundred since January 2011. But if they were lucky enough to get inside to see the 12th over of the day, they were left feeling flat.

A well-flighted delivery from Lyon cannoned off an inside edge onto the stumps with Tendulkar on 81.

The 39-year-old had resumed on 71 and only added 10 runs in 31 balls.

Kohli and Tendulkar shared a 91-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Lyon finally got his man after a confident lbw appeal against Tendulkar on 37 had been turned down on Saturday.

Pacemen Peter Siddle was warned by umpire Marais Erasmus for running on the pitch during his fourth over on Sunday.

Fellow quick James Pattinson has taken 3-41 from 14 overs.