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Australia have taken two wickets on the fourth morning at the Gabba to leave India 6-167, but things could be better in their bid to push for victory.

Josh Hazlewood's calf scare has headlined a frustrating fourth morning for Australia at the Gabba, with India 6-167 at lunch and fighting to avoid the follow-on.

Hazlewood sent down just one over on Tuesday morning before exiting and leaving Australia a bowler short, with 14 wickets still to take in the match.

His injury came as Australia attempt to race the Brisbane rain to claim a victory and 2-1 series lead, with two Tests still to play.

Australia claimed two first-session wickets, including a one-handed blinder from Steve Smith at slip to remove KL Rahul on 84.

But it was a chance Smith missed on the first ball of the day that Australia could rue, as they attempt to bowl India out for 245 or lower and enforce the follow-on.

Rahul edged a Pat Cummins delivery straight to Smith at second slip, only for Australia's vice-captain to put the ball down.

The right-hander then added 55 more runs and soaked up an extra 75 balls, before he offered Smith a far harder chance off Nathan Lyon.

Going back to cut, Rahul hit the ball with the full face of the bat, only for Smith to dive one handed to his right and take the catch.

The wicket broke a 67-run sixth-wicket stand between Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, who himself went to the lunch break unbeaten on 41.

Nitish Kumar Reddy also survived a review in the final over of the session, when snicko showed he did not glove a Lyon ball through to Alex Carey.

Australia's only other wicket on Tuesday came when Cummins had out-of-form India captain Rohit Sharma caught behind for 10, with a ball that angled in and seamed away from the right-hander.

Rain has already stopped play for 24 minutes on Tuesday, with scattered showers hovering around Brisbane.

Heavier downpours are also forecast for Wednesday.

Australia are realistically one wicket away from the tail, with Jasprit Bumrah listed at No.9.