Indian opener Gautam Gambhir reckons Australia have been doctoring their pitches to suit their quick bowlers, but try telling that to paceman Peter Siddle.

The 27-year-old Victorian toiled on a featherbed Adelaide Oval wicket to take 5-49 from 15 overs on day three of the fourth Test against India, putting the home side in a strong position.

Australia will resume on Friday at 3-50 in their second innings, an overall lead of 382.

Siddle banked his fifth career five-wicket haul, rating it as one of his best and he now boasts a series tally of 22 victims at 17.36.

“It’s probably one of my better ones,” said Siddle, whose exploits this summer were dismissed earlier this week by Gambhir.

Gambhir had said Siddle was simply exploiting favourable conditions and the real test of character would come in India.

Siddle said he was relieved to claim his first five-wicket haul of the series.

“I guess Gambhir thought I’d had the luck of the green wickets,” said Siddle, who dismissed Gambhir caught at gully off a short ball for 34 on Thursday.

“There wasn’t much bounce in this wicket today and it seemed to get him out, so it was a nice little reward on a wicket that’s pretty hard to bowl on.

“The hard work I’ve put in in the last six or seven months, this summer it’s just all come together and that’s just the work I’ve put in personally on the fitness and strength side of things and then the work with ‘Billy’ (Australia bowling coach Craig McDermott) to get where I am.

“It’s paying off (but) I’m not getting too overawed with what I had done earlier in the summer, and just keep working hard.

“Billy kept saying to me the haul was around the corner. He’s been saying that for a few matches now but to finally get it here is very pleasing and I’m obviously grateful for all the people that have helped me to get here.”