Kohli caught Peter Handscomb for seven on the opening day of the second Test against the Aussies.
Ishant Sharma bowled back of length to the mid-order batsman and the ball sprayed off the edge.
Kohli, though, refused to be beaten and leapt full-stretch to take a stunning one-handed catch with his right hand.
Handscomb was the fourth wicket of the middle session as India fought back.
Australia ended the day on 277/6 as they look to recover after defeat in the first Test.
Half-centuries from Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch and Travis Head powered the Aussie innings.
Under warm skies and looking at a green pitch, Australia won the toss and elected to bat, with Harris and Finch quickly making good on the decision as they put on 112 for the first wicket.
Jasprit Bumrah was the man to end India’s frustration with a full and straight delivery as he trapped Finch lbw moments after he reached 50.
It was the start of a strong spell from Bumrah, who made Usman Khawaja miss twice before the same over was done and then followed up with a maiden.
Australia’s momentum was gone and they were slow to put on runs before Khawaja followed Finch back to the pavilion for just five, edging Umesh Yadav behind having never settled.
Harris was soon out for 70, edging Hanuma Vihari behind and Australia were grateful to Shaun Marsh – who made 45 – and Head (58) for restoring order as Handscomb also fell cheaply for seven.
Together Marsh and Head put on 84 for the fifth wicket before Marsh was victim of a superb catch by Rahane in the slips off Vihari.
After Head’s afternoon was ended by Ishant Sharma, Australia put on another 26 runs before the close.
Tim Paine ended the day unbeaten on 16 while Pat Cummins had 11.
