India edged further closer to a victory in the first Test in Adelaide after they had hosts Australia reeling at 104/4 at stumps on the fourth day.
Resuming proceedings at 151/3 did well to negate the initial threat posed by the Australian bowlers as Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane added 87 runs together to further strengthen India’s grip on the contest.
Pujara, who was well set on 71 missed out a big score this time around when a delivery from Nathan Lyon landed on the footmarks and caught the bat and pad of the batsman, ballooning up the ball in the air only for Aaron Finch at short leg to pull off an easy catch.
The slump began with his dismissal as soon they were reduced to 248/5. Rahane who looked in good touch took responsibility this time around and added 34 runs with Rishabh Pant (28 runs off 16 balls) to take India’s total to 307.
Australia, with a stiff target of 323 runs to chase down, began on a cautious note with Finch and Marcus Harris putting 28 runs for the opening stand. But Ravichandran Ashwin provided India with the breakthrough when he sent back Finch for 11 runs. Harris, who had been a force of resistance also fell soon to Mohammad Shami, who had the debutant caught behind to leave Australia struggling at 44/2. 16 runs later, Indians further had a spring in their step when Ashwin struck once again, this time the victim being Usman Khawaja, who came down the pitch and offered a simple catch to Rohit Sharma at deep extra cover.
But a 20-run unbeaten stand between Shaun Marsh and Travis Head is what Australia would count on to make a difference on the last day with India needing six more wickets to register their a rare overseas Test match win.