Virat Kohli and KL Rahul struck fifties to put India's chase back on track after they had lost their first three wickets for just two runs against Australia in a key World Cup clash on Sunday.

Kohli and Rahul put together an unbeaten century stand in Chennai to thwart Australia's bowling in the 150th ODI meeting between the two teams.

Kohli, who was dropped on 12 by Mitchell Marsh off Josh Hazlewood, scored his 67th ODI half-century as a crowd of 32,531 cheered.

Rahul soon reached his fifty in the 28th over as India went to 106-3 while chasing a victory target of 200.

Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc struck in the first over to send back Ishan Kishan for a duck after the left-hander slashed at a delivery to get caught at slip.

Hazlewood then struck twice in one over to remove skipper Rohit Sharma lbw and then Shreyas Iyer caught at covers also for nought to silence the home crowd.

Earlier Ravindra Jadeja took three wickets to help bowl out Australia for 199 in 49.3 overs.