Indian spinners Pragyan Ojha and Harbhajan Singh shared five wickets as Australia struggled to 202 for seven at stumps Tuesday, an overall lead of 185 with one day remaining in a delicately poised second cricket test.
After conceding a 17-run first-innings lead to India, Australia raced to 58 in 16 overs before losing three top-order batsmen in quick succession. A determined Ricky Ponting (72) figured in useful half-century stands with Michael Hussey (20) and Tim Paine (23) to bolster the middle order.
Openers Shane Watson (31) and Simon Katich (24) had started well, but the advent of the spinners pegged the visiting side back.
Watson was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Ojha, missing a half-century for the first time on the tour.
He scored a century in each innings (115 and 104) of a three-day practice game in Chandigarh. He then struck 126 and 56 in the first test at Mohali, where Australia lost by one wicket, and followed it up with 57 in the first innings here.
Watson's dismissal was followed by two more wickets in the space of seven runs.
Katich was caught behind by Mahendra Singh Dhoni off Harbhajan, while Clarke was stumped by Dhoni off Ojha as the batsman stretched out to reach a delivery that dipped sharply.
The pace bowlers started to get some reverse swing later in the innings. Left-armer Zaheer Khan removed Ponting after the Australian captain had struck one six and seven fours, while Paine (23) fell to Sreesanth just six runs later.
Ojha returned 3-57 and Harbhajan had 2-63 as India chased its first victory at the Bangalore venue since 1995.
Earlier, Sachin Tendulkar completed his sixth test double-century to guide India to 486 for five before India had a dramatic late collapse.
Resuming at 435 for five, India progressed to 486 before losing five wickets for nine runs and being dismissed for 495 on in reply to Australia's 478.
"We are disappointed at losing those five wickets this morning," said Tendulkar. "But we came back pretty well and the bowlers have done a fantastic job so far. It is going to be an exciting and big day for us tomorrow."
Tendulkar, who was on 191 at stumps on Monday, was first out, dragging a delivery from rookie paceman Peter George onto his stumps. His magnificent 214 was laced with 22 boundaries and two sixes.
Skipper Dhoni made 30 in 87 minutes, but Harbhajan, Zaheer and Sreesanth failed to deliver.
The lanky George, who also accounted for the wicket of Zaheer, combined with others to restrict the Indians.
Nathan Hauritz took two wickets in five balls as he dismissed Dhoni and last-man Sreesanth. Dhoni was caught at slip as he tried to drive a delivery from the spinner, while Sreesanth was trapped lbw.
Watson accounted for Harbhajan, who gave a simple catch to Ponting at mid-wicket.
"The match is at a critical stage and it is all about how we deal with pressure and apply ourselves," said Tendulkar, adding that it would be a serious challenge batting last in the match.
"The wicket has become slower. Cracks have widened, so we may need to adjust to the bounce and the pace. Hopefully our bowlers would make the target as low as possible for us," he said.
After conceding a 17-run first-innings lead to India, Australia raced to 58 in 16 overs before losing three top-order batsmen in quick succession. A determined Ricky Ponting (72) figured in useful half-century stands with Michael Hussey (20) and Tim Paine (23) to bolster the middle order.
Openers Shane Watson (31) and Simon Katich (24) had started well, but the advent of the spinners pegged the visiting side back.
Watson was trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Ojha, missing a half-century for the first time on the tour.
He scored a century in each innings (115 and 104) of a three-day practice game in Chandigarh. He then struck 126 and 56 in the first test at Mohali, where Australia lost by one wicket, and followed it up with 57 in the first innings here.
Watson's dismissal was followed by two more wickets in the space of seven runs.
Katich was caught behind by Mahendra Singh Dhoni off Harbhajan, while Clarke was stumped by Dhoni off Ojha as the batsman stretched out to reach a delivery that dipped sharply.
The pace bowlers started to get some reverse swing later in the innings. Left-armer Zaheer Khan removed Ponting after the Australian captain had struck one six and seven fours, while Paine (23) fell to Sreesanth just six runs later.
Ojha returned 3-57 and Harbhajan had 2-63 as India chased its first victory at the Bangalore venue since 1995.
Earlier, Sachin Tendulkar completed his sixth test double-century to guide India to 486 for five before India had a dramatic late collapse.
Resuming at 435 for five, India progressed to 486 before losing five wickets for nine runs and being dismissed for 495 on in reply to Australia's 478.
"We are disappointed at losing those five wickets this morning," said Tendulkar. "But we came back pretty well and the bowlers have done a fantastic job so far. It is going to be an exciting and big day for us tomorrow."
Tendulkar, who was on 191 at stumps on Monday, was first out, dragging a delivery from rookie paceman Peter George onto his stumps. His magnificent 214 was laced with 22 boundaries and two sixes.
Skipper Dhoni made 30 in 87 minutes, but Harbhajan, Zaheer and Sreesanth failed to deliver.
The lanky George, who also accounted for the wicket of Zaheer, combined with others to restrict the Indians.
Nathan Hauritz took two wickets in five balls as he dismissed Dhoni and last-man Sreesanth. Dhoni was caught at slip as he tried to drive a delivery from the spinner, while Sreesanth was trapped lbw.
Watson accounted for Harbhajan, who gave a simple catch to Ponting at mid-wicket.
"The match is at a critical stage and it is all about how we deal with pressure and apply ourselves," said Tendulkar, adding that it would be a serious challenge batting last in the match.
"The wicket has become slower. Cracks have widened, so we may need to adjust to the bounce and the pace. Hopefully our bowlers would make the target as low as possible for us," he said.
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