Sydney, Jan 10 (IANS) India reached 73/1 at lunch in their second innings while chasing a target of 349 runs on the fifth day of the fourth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here Saturday.
Australia declared at their overnight score of 251/6, leaving India a target of 349 runs in 90 overs.
Australian skipper Steven Smith and the team management believed that it would be quite difficult for India to chase down 349 runs on a fifth day pitch and declared early in the morning.
Openers Murali Vijay (35 batting) and Lokesh Rahul (16) looked solid at the crease though Vijay was dropped in the 10th over by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin off spinner Nathan Lyon.
However, Australia did not have to wait long for success as Lyon, the most successful bowler of the series with 21 wickets, got another when he scalped first innings century maker Rahul, who gloved a turning delivery to backward short leg.
Vijay and Rohit Sharma (19 batting) stuck it out in the middle thereon.
Though offie Lyon was the lone wicket taker, Aussie pacers were the stars in the morning session, testing the Indian batsmen with their length and pace in seaming conditions.
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood with respective figures of 7-4-5-0 and 5-4-1-0 built the pressure on India by giving away less than a run per over.
