India on the brink of Test match victory

Harbhajan Singh collected three top-order wickets and Ishant Sharma snared a brace to leave India on the brink of victory against Australia after day four of the second Border-Gavaskar Test.

Off-spinner Harbhajan and paceman Ishant exposed frailties in Australia's batting line-up as the tourists crumbled to 58 for five at one stage in pursuit of 516 for an improbable win.

Michael Clarke (42 not out) and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (37 not out) staged a recovery of sorts as the Australians ended the day on 141 for five, still needing 375 runs to triumph.

A hundred from Gautam Gambhir (104) and half-centuries from Virender Sehwag and Mahendra Singh Dhoni had set India up with a massive lead in quick time.

The hosts had already laid the foundation with a first-innings lead of 201 and Dhoni declared India's second innings closed at 314 for three, leaving Australia with a daunting total to chase.

Matthew Hayden, who had scores of nought, 13 and nought on the tour so far, and Simon Katich set about taking the attack to the Indian pacemen and partially succeeded as they hit the new-ball bowlers out of the attack.

Dhoni, however, brought on Harbhajan and the off-spinner immediately forced the breakthrough in spite of the ball being fairly new.

Hayden had made 29 from just 18 deliveries when he attempted to sweep Harbhajan, but instead was rapped on the pads.

Katich (20) fell shortly after, square-driving Harbhajan only for Sachin Tendulkar to take a fine catch at point.

Ishant had skipper Ricky Ponting (two) bowled with one that nipped back sharply off the pitch and knocked back off-stump, while Harbhajan trapped Michael Hussey (one) in front to leave Australia in tatters at 52 for four.

That became 58 for five when Ishant sent back Shane Watson for two, catching him on the crease and hitting him on the back pad as he shaped to defend.

Clarke, who has made little impression so far on this tour, was then joined by Haddin, however, and the two halted the rampaging Indian bowlers.

They added 83 runs for the sixth wicket by stumps, smashing six boundaries apiece as they safely negotiated a probing line from the spinners at the end.