New Delhi:
Mohammed Shami was the star for India as he picked up six wickets, his career-best haul in Tests. However, Australia's tail once again stepped up and pushed the lead tov 287. In response, Australia continued their dominance by dismissing KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara cheaply. When Nathan Lyon picked up both Murali Vijay and importantly Virat Kohli for 17, Australia secured a firm grasp in the match. Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari stitched a 43-run stand but Rahane's dismissal towards the fag end turned the game once again. Australia will need five wickets while India need 175 runs on a wicket becoming more difficult to bat on. (SCORECARD)
That will be stumps on day 4. India need 175 runs for victory. Australia need five wickets. However, India have a long tail and that could impede them. One will be hoping that miracles happen. But for the moment, it is advantage Australia.
WICKET! Oh no! Rahane has thrown it away. After all the hard work, he hits a short and wide ball from hazlewood straight to point and Australia close in.
India need less than 200 now. However, Australia are still bowling with discipline and both batsmen must stay focused.
Hanuma Vihari and Rahane are somehow hanging in there. About 50 minutes of play are remaining.
Hanuma Vihari gets going with two boundaries off Nathan Lyon. Ajinkya Rahane is looking to attack as India aim to steady the ship.
WICKET! Lyon is turning it on. He floats a flighted delivery on off stump and it hits the rough, it breaks back in sharply as Vijay goes for the drive, the ball crashes into the leg stump.
WICKET! What a bowler. What a moment. Nathan Lyon gets Virat Kohli for the seventh time as the Indian skipper edges a straight ball to be caught cleanly at slip. This is a massive moment in the game for Australia.
Kohli and Vijay are making smooth progress as Australia hunt for another wicket. The ball is still seaming around and runs are coming at a premium. However, Kohli is looking in great touch. On this wicket, if India chase down 287, this will be monumental in their cricketing history.
That will be tea on day 4. India are 15/2. All eyes on King Kohli now. He holds the key if India are to chase this down.
WICKET! Another one. The pitch is starting to show it's true colours now. The short ball climbs up on Pujara who plays slightly away from the body and the edge is taken by Paine. India wobbling at 13/2.
WICKET! Disaster for India as KL Rahul's woeful form continues. He is cleaned up by Mitchell Starc for 0 and India have gotten off to a shaky start.
Jasprit Bumrah takes the final wicket and the target for India to win the Test and retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy is 287. On this wicket, it might be a tall task but India's batsmen, notably Kohli, is in great form. Cracking contest on the cards.
The last wicekt stand has stitched together 25 runs. These are priceless runs for Australia. India struggling to dislodge this stand as the lead nears 300.
Bang! That was a nasty ball from Shami but he gets a wicket immediately. The short ball again zips through off the deck and Lyon is cramped for room, he ends up top-edging it to backward point.
WICKET! India are running through the tail now. Shami gets his fourth five-wicket haul as Khawaja fends off a brute of a ball to edge it to the slips. Jasprit Bumrah gets Pat Cummins with a ball that shoots through low. Chasing this total in the fourth innings will not be easy for India.
WICKET! Yet another one for Shami and he will be on a hat-trick. Finch, who came back after the finger injury, fends at another short ball from Shami and gives a catch to Rishabh Pant. He will be on a hat-trick in the next over. India will be looking to go for the kill now.
WICKET! Great start for India after the lunch break. Shami bangs the bouncer in and it climbs up sharply on Paine, he fends at it and he can only pop it to Kohli at slip. Ends a solid knock from Paine but Khawaja is still there.
That is lunch on day 4. India have not managed to take a single wicket and the lead is close to 250. Australia in the driver's seat now, with Khawaja on 67*
The partnership between Paine and Khawaja is worth 68 but there is still some tension between Paine and Kohli. The Indian skipper is unrelenting.
Tim Paine and Virat Kohli are having a go at each other. Umpire ChrisGaffaney is not amused and he has a word with both. In fact, both skippers have been going after each other.
Usman Khawaja hits his 14th fifty and the lead has now crossed 200. India are now under pressure.
Khawaja and Paine are making steady progress as the lead nears 200. India are striving hard for the breakthrough. The left-hander is nearing a fifty
Missed run-out chance! Khawaja nudges a short ball to the leg side and takes off for a quick single. Bumrah runs and immediately turns, he tumbles as he fires the throw at the non-striker's end but he misses. Khawaja would have been a goner.
A warm welcome to day 4 of the Perth Test between India and Australia. The hosts are in a magnificent position as they take the lead near to 200. India need quick wickets. Any target in excess of 250 on this wicket will be very tricky.
