Australia ended the fourth day's play at 282 for 4 - 213 runs ahead, as bad light brought the day to an early close. The highlight of the day was Matthew Hayden's 29th Test century that was his fifth against India as the hosts moved to a position from where they can dictate terms.
At one point of time though, things could have been worse for India, but for Anil Kumble's double strikes that brought the visitors back into the game. Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey were going along smoothly and had pushed Australia to 250 for 2 (a lead of 181) with a major part of the final session remaining. However, Kumble struck on successive deliveries, dismissing Hayden and Clarke to bring India back into the match. Hayden, who had batted well for his 123, and during the process completed 1500 Test runs against India, reverse-swept Kumble to Jaffer at backward point. On the very next delivery, Michael Clarke, tried to cut one and was caught at the first slip by Rahul Dravid.
These were the only moments, other than those just prior to lunch that India could be proud of. Otherwise, it was a long, hard toil for the visitors on a day when they could capture just four wickets. The hard Aussie resistance has almost shut an Indian win out of the equation unless the game comes up with another glorious uncertainty.
The seamers, except for beating the edges a few times in the morning, struggled, while the spinners couldn't provide magic on a responsive wicket.
Hussey and Hayden had put Australia in command with a partnership of 160 runs in 44 overs. Hayden stood rock solid in the middle and batted with a runner, Ricky Ponting; while Hussey went about collecting runs at a decent pace. The important part during their partnership was that they always looked to rotate the strike.
The Australian opener applied the pull and the sweep shots to good effect and played well straight down the ground. He reached his hundred off a full toss from Kumble.
Meanwhile, Michael Hussey notched up his ninth Test fifty. He was unbeaten on 87 that came off 186 balls.
Although the Indian spinners pressed on, with both Harbhajan and Kumble giving the batting duo some moments of trouble, the Australian southpaws batted with grit and purpose to parry the Indians with their rearguard action. The two nudged and pushed for singles and put the bad balls away for boundaries. The two had come together just before lunch when the score was 90 for 2.
Earlier, just before lunch, Anil Kumble took his 100th wicket against Australia dismissing Phil Jaques for 42. And just as lunch was approaching, Harbhajan got his bunny, Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting for one to leave Australia at 90 for 2 at lunch. Jaques, who along with Matthew Hayden had fended the Indian bowlers in the morning period to wipe off the lead was batting with great command. However, just as he looked like building the lead and taking the game away from the Indians, Kumble struck. Jaques went for a slog-sweep, a shot that he had played with good effect and kept on the ground. This time, he had hit it in the air and was safely lapped up by Yuvraj in the deep square leg region.
To give India a double blow, Harbhajan got the prize wicket of Ricky Ponting yet again. Ponting played across the line and was caught by VVS Laxman at silly point. Australia went into lunch with a lead of 21 runs.
It was yet another failure for Ponting, who has got into double figures just once in the four innings he has played in this series.
India need to win the Test to level series.
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