India were in all sorts of trouble at 4-46 after 14.2 overs in Sunday's match when rain forced players off for a third time.
The match had already been reduced to 35 overs per side by that stage, and it remains to be seen whether the rain will hold off enough to allow the minimum 20 overs per side needed to complete the contest.
If the match is able to be completed, India face a huge battle to win.Â
Both captains wanted to bowl first under the overcast conditions, and it was Australia skipper Mitch Marsh who had the toss of the coin go his way.
It didn't take long for Australia's pace attack to muscle in on India's top order.
Rohit Sharma (8) was the first to fall when he was caught at second slip off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood (2-20 off seven overs).
Indian fans erupted when Virat 'King' Kohli strolled out to the crease, but the veteran superstar lasted just eight balls before striking Mitchell Starc to a diving Cooper Connolly at gully.
Alarm bells were ringing at 3-25 when Shubman Gill (10) was caught behind after tickling Nathan Ellis' first delivery down the leg side.
A 12-minute rain break gave India a short respite, and players were forced off again - this time for more than two hours - with the score reading 3-37.
Shreyas Iyer struck Hazlewood for four upon the resumption of play, but he was out a short time later when he gloved the Aussie paceman down the leg side for Josh Philippe to take another diving catch.
The ODI series is likely to mark the final international appearances in Australia of veteran Indian stars Kohli and Sharma.
The duo are retired from Test cricket and T20 internationals, and there's doubt about whether they will be able to make it to the 2027 ODI World Cup in Africa.
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