Australia was bowled out for 192 in its second innings late on day four, with Zaheer Khan taking the final three wickets to fall.

But India was in trouble early, with Hilfenhaus (3-22) trapping Gautim Gambhir lbw in the first over — although there was some doubt about the decision.

Hilfenhaus then had Virender Sehwag caught out for 17 with a short-pitched ball and, after Doug Bollinger had Rahul Dravid (13) caught behind by Tim Paine, Hilfenhaus got Suresh Raina caught at slip with another short delivery.

Sachin Tendulkar, unbeaten on 10, holds India's best chance of an unlikely win. Khan, who was promoted up the order to No. 6, was unbeaten on five at the close.

“We knew we had to come in hard in that session.,” Hilfenhaus said. “I wouldn't say we are few runs short; we have to wait for that tomorrow.

“We had individual plans against their batters and we stuck to that. It was nice to get a couple of wickets and we are very keen to get stuck into them tomorrow.” India's batsmen will return to the crease needing a further 161 for victory, setting the stage for a tantalizing last day's play at the PCA Stadium.

In a dramatic final session Gambhir was the first to go, adjudged lbw by umpire Billy Bowden without a run on the board, even though the ball seemed to have taken an inside edge onto his pads.

Dravid and Sehwag had moved the score along to 31 when the former fell to left-arm seamer Bollinger.

Sehwag was then caught in the gully by Michael Hussey to leave India on 48-3 and the Australians tightened their grip on the match by getting Raina in the dying minutes of the day's play. Raina was caught in the gully without scoring a run.

Earlier, Khan (3-43) and Ishant Sharma (3-34) were India's best bowlers as the visitors failed to reach 200 in their second innings.

Shane Watson was again Australia's top scorer, the opener hitting a rapid 56 from 59 balls.