India in dire straits against Australia

Melbourne, Dec 29 (IANS) Losing six wickets for 64 runs, Indian batting collapsed again for the second time in the match as the team chased the now improbable target of 292 to win against Australia on the fourth day of the first cricket Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here Thursday.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni was batting on 14 and Ravichandran Ashwin 30 at the tea as India still trailed by 175 runs. Australia, resuming at overnight 178/8, were bowled out for 240 runs in the second innings setting India a 292 run target. Australia had made 333 in the first innings and bowled out India for 282.

India lost dashing opener Virender Sehwag (7) early and were 24 for one in the second innings at the lunch break. Sehwag was sharply caught at gully by Michael Hussey off Ben Hilfenhaus.

All the three Australian quicks bowled beautifully to draw movement at genuine pace and were were able to keep the momentum even after the break, taking wickets at regular intervals.

Gautam Gambhir (13) was the first to fall after the resumption caught at second slip by Ricky Ponting from Peter Siddle.

The dismissals of the openers brought world's two top highest run scorers, Sachin Tendulkar (32) and Rahul Dravid (10) to the crease but they did too little as India's hopes faded away. Dravid (10) had his stump rattled and V.V.S. Laxman (1) was caught shortly after, both from the bowling of James Pattinson.

Hilfenhaus had Virat Kohli trapped on the crease lbw for a golden duck India while Siddle picked up Tendulkar for the second time in the match, caught at gully by Hussey to leave India in desperate straits.

Earlier in the day, a crucial last-wicket stand of 43 runs between James Pattinson (37 not out) and Hilfenhaus (14) took Australia to a comfortable 240 runs for an overall lead of 291 runs. Australia made 333 in the first innings and bowled out India for 282.