Mohali Test: India 55 for 4 at close

The first Test between India and Australia here was poised for an outright result on the final day on Tuesday as the hosts, needing 216 runs to win, slipped to 55 for four in the second innings on the fourth day on Monday at close.

With Sachin Tendulkar batting on 10 and nightwatchman Zaheer Khan on 5, India have to bridge a deficit of 161 runs.

Earlier openers Shane Watson (56), Simon Katich (37), Michael Hussey (28) and Marcus North (10) were the main scorers for Australia in their second venture.

Australia lost three wickets before lunch (100 for 3) and three wickets before tea (165 for 6) before being bowled for 192 in 60.5 overs.

Chasing a victory target of 216, India lost opener Gautam Gambhir (0) without any run on the scoreboard. Gautam Gambhir was given out leg before wicket to Ben Hilfenhaus. The Indian opener played Ben?s delivery.

After getting the edge, the ball hit the pad but the umpire ruled him out. Gautam Gambhir did not look to be satisfied with the decision but he walked to the pavilion.

Earlier, Australia appeared to be moving to a strong position before Ishant Sharma struck three quick blows to reduce the visitors to 100 for 3 from 87 for 1 at lunch.

Openers Shane Watson, centurion in the first innings and Simon Katich, were going great guns as they put on 87 runs before Ishant Sharma struck a purple patch.

While defending a short and wide ball from Ishant Sharma, Watson?s played on, getting an inner edge which dislodged the bails. Australia 87 for 1 in 18.1 overs. Watson faced 59 deliveries and reached the fence seven times and hit a huge six with a striking run rate of 94.91.

Hardly had the cheers of the home fans had died down, 22-year old pacer Ishant Sharma, playing his 27th Test, struck again four balls later. Before new comer and captain Ricky Ponting could settle down, Ishant had him caught by Suresh Raina at backward square left.

He made four with a boundary. Australia 91-2 in 18.5 overs. Michael Clarke (4) joined Simon Katich and they carried the score to 96 before Clarke departed, caught by wicket-keeper captain MS Dhoni off the bowling of Ishant Sharma. Australia 96-3 in 20.5 overs.

But fine bowling from Ishant Sharma, Zaheer Khan and the Indian spinners set up a gettable chase of 216, before Ben Hilfenhaus bowled Australia to a winnable position of their own late in the day.

It left the Test finely balanced; India require 161 runs with Sachin Tendulkar at the crease on 10, and the night-watchman Zaheer on 5.

Australia need six wickets, but they know that VVS Laxman, who batted at No. 10 in the first innings, would again be hampered by his bad back when he eventually comes to the crease. Much will depend on Tendulkar and MS Dhoni.

Scorecard

India: 405 and 55 for 4 (Tendulkar 10*, Zaheer 5*, Hilfenhaus 3-22) need another 161 runs to beat Australia 428 and 192 (Watson 56, Ishant 3-34, Zaheer 3-43)

Australia: 428 & 192