Following some late fireworks from the tailenders, India reached 475 all out in their first innings but Australia stretched their lead to 135 runs after speeding to 38 for one in their second innings at tea on day four of the fourth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here Friday.
Australia were batting at 38 for one with Chris Rogers (21 batting) and Shane Watson (13 batting) at the crease when the second session came to an end.
The home side lost explosive opener David Warner (4), who scored a brilliant century in the first innings, early in the second over when he was caught at slips off the bowling of Ravichandran Ashwin.
India resumed post-lunch at 407 for seven and immediately upped the ante with Ashwin (50) going on to score his fourth Test half-century. Bhuvneshwar Kumar also hit five fluent boundaries to reach a quickfire 30 before he was caught at slips.
Mohammed Shami (16 not out) struck a couple of lusty blows to add to the tally before Umesh Yadav (4) was caught behind to end the Indian innings with the visitors trailing the Australian total of 572 for seven declared by 97 runs.
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Earlier in the morning, India managed to avoid the follow on but lost skipper Virat Kohli (147) and wicketkeeper batsman Wriddiman Saha (35). Resuming play at 342 for five, India put on 65 runs in 29 overs in the morning session.
Kohli fell right at the start after adding only seven runs to the brilliant century he scored Thursday. The captain got out in similar fashion like he did in Melbourne when he chipped a Ryan Harris delivery to short mid-wicket.
Saha batted well to tackle the Australian pacers, who extracted some movement in the morning. However, he fell to a bouncer when he awkwardly gloved a Josh Hazlewood (1/58) delivery to first slip.
Ashwin then held the innings together for the visitors.
