3 years ago
India faces a tough task to avoid defeat in the third Test against Australia after closing day four on 98-2. India requires a further 309 runs to win the Test match.
The hosts resumed on 103-2 before declaring on 312-6, setting India an unlikely 407 for victory in Sydney. All-rounder Cameron Green hit an entertaining 84, while Steve Smith made 81 and Marnus Labuschagne scored 73.
India's perfomed well, before Shubman Gill fell for 31 and Rohit Sharma was caught in the deep for 52. Cheteshwar Pujara and captain Ajinkya Rahane remain unbeaten on nine and four respectively, but will need to form a substantial partnership to help their side either bat out the final day for a draw or pull off a remarkable victory.
The highest successful fourth-innings chase at the Sydney Cricket Ground is 288, which Australia made against South Africa in 2006. The four-match series is currently level at 1-1, with the final Test in Brisbane starting on 15 January.
Day four was marred by an incident in which play was halted for 10 minutes shortly before tea after India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj alerted the umpires to alleged abuse from a section of the Sydney Cricket Ground crowd.
