Australia face steep run chase against India
Australia will need to post the fourth-highest run-chase in Test history to level the series and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after bowling out India on Sunday, setting a victory target of 382 in the fourth Test.
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh registered vital half-centuries on day four that gave the hosts the luxury of setting the pace on the final day.
India, which leads the series 1-0 and needs only a draw to regain the Trophy, was dismissed for 295 late on Sunday, with Australia moving to 13-0 in reply from just nine balls before bad light forced stumps.
"For us as a team, I don't think 1-0 or 2-0, it doesn't really matter to us," Dhoni said.
"We've got a nice score, there are 90 overs left, and they are supposed to chase 360 at four runs an over. That's a tough task."
Australia offie Jason Krejza completed a 12-wicket haul on debut — the fourth-best figures by a player in his first match — but was unable to stop India from recovering from a precarious 166-6 at tea.
India led by 252 at tea and Australia had strong hopes of tying the series, but Dhoni (55) and Harbhajan (52) benefited from the visitors' inexcusably poor over-rate and regained control during a bright 108-run stand for the seventh wicket.
India lost 6 wickets for 50 runs in the second session before Australia's momentum stalled when skipper Ricky Ponting called on his part-time bowlers to step up the over rate.
The visitors were about 10 behind the required over-rate at the interval and wanted to avoid the possibility of a Ponting ban and heavy fines for the players.
Ponting employed leg spinner Cameron White and part-timers Michael Hussey and Michael Clarke for some quick overs, and Dhoni took advantage of the lack of pressure as India comfortably increased its buffer past 300. It had reached 360 when Dhoni, who required on-field treatment for a back injury, was caught by a diving Hussey, becoming Krejza's 11th victim. He hit four fours during his 81-ball knock while Harbhajan brought up his fourth 50 against Australia in 90 deliveries.
Zaheer Khan (5) was caught by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and the innings ended when Harbhajan and Amit Mishra (7) were bowled by Shane Watson, who ended with figures of 4-42.
Australia will need to beat its stirring chase of 369 against Pakistan in Hobart in 1999 to set a new fourth-highest successful chase.
Krejza captured 8-215 in the first innings and 4-143 in the second for an unforgettable debut.
Krejza was targeted by Sehwag, but fought back successfully. His overall figures of 12-358 are the most expensive of any Test rookie and the second-most conceded in Test history.
Sehwag's powerful 92 from 107 balls, with 10 fours and a six, gave the hosts a strong start and he looked set for a hundred until Lee, who had struggled with nausea during the game, returned for his second spell and found an edge through to Haddin with his first delivery.
Vijay made a composed 41 before he fell lbw to an inswinger from Watson in the second over after lunch. Rahul Dravid's poor form continued when he edged Watson to Haddin, leaving India at 132-2.
Australia was penalized five runs when Haddin took his right glove off and lobbed it at the ball after Tendulkar had played at a leg side ball from Watson.
During the session umpire Aleem Dar also had a conversation with skipper Ricky Ponting over the state of the ball, which Watson had started to reverse swing sharply.
