India trail Australia by 422 runs with nine wickets remaining at the draw of stumps on the second day of the fiercely competed third Test in Melbourne.
Resuming batting on the second day, skipper Steve Smith played an impressive knock of 192 runs to guide Australia's total 530.
Returning pace all rounder Ryan Harris contributed vital 74 runs, with wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin scoring an impressive half century in the hosts' massive first innings total.
As India went into bat after rounding off the Australian batting line-up for 530, they amassed 108 runs for the loss of opener Shikhar Dhawan's wicket at the draw of stumps on day two of the Boxing Day Test.
Opener Murali Vijay and Dhawan gave the team a steady start with their initial partnership of 55 runs. The partnership ended after Dhawan fell prey to Harris' express delivery on his individual score of 28 runs.
Chesteshwar Pujara remained unbeaten on 25 with Vijay's steady 55 to take India to 108-1 and will resume batting on Sunday.
Australia have won the previous two Tests and currently lead the four match Test series 2-0.
