India vs Australia, 2nd Test: Visitors end Day 4 on 112/5, need 175 more runs to win

India were reduced to 112/5 by Australia at stumps on the fourth day's play on Monday, still needing 175 more runs to win the second Test of the four-match series at the Perth Stadium.

Chasing a target of 287 runs to win,  the visitors made a worst possible start, losing KL Rahul (duck) and first drop Cheteshwar Pujara (four) cheaply to reduce to 13/2.

Subsequently, skipper Virat Kohli and Murali Vijay joined forces to steady India's ship on a difficult pitch at the Optus stadium. Everything was going fine till 41/2 before Nathan Lyon struck twice to dismiss the duo in quick successions for 17 and 20, respectively. 

Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari then took the mantle on their shoulders and looked all set to bat on till the end of the day's play. However, Hazlewood struck for Australia in the 35th over to break 43-run partnership between them and sent Rahane packing for 30.

At stumps, Viharia and Rishabh Pant were batting at the crease on their respective score of 24 and nine.

Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 132/4, Usman Khawaja (72) not only struck his 14th Test half-century but also shared a crucial 72-run partnership with skipper Tim Paine for the sixth wicket to take Australia's lead past 200 before lunch. 

However, India finally managed to break their partnership when Mohammed Shami delivered a nasty bouncer in the very first over after lunch to remove Paine for 37. Shami didn't stop their and handed India another wicket by dismissing Aaron Finch, who resumed his innings after being retiired hurt on Sunday, for 25 in the successive ball of the 79th over. 

Shami then bagged a big wicket for India in the form of Usman Khawaja (72) in the 83rd over.Pat Cummins (one) and Nathan Lyon (five) were then dismissed in quick succession as Australia were bowled out for 243 runs to set a 287-run target for India. 

Here are the highlights: 

# Stumps!

That's stumps! Another high-quality day of Test cricket and the Aussies are five wickets away from victory: https://t.co/mzWOwn19la #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/iTWZc04CwS — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

# India ended the fourth day's play at 112/5 , still needing 175 runs to win. Pant and Vihari are batting at their respective scores of nine and 24. India 112/5 (41 overs)

# Rishabh Pant is the new batsman in ! 

# Wicket ! Hazlewood strikes for Australia. The visitors look in trouble now as they have lost Ajinkya Rahane (30), who was looking settled at the crease along with Viharti. Rahane leans back and hammers a square drive straight to Head, who takes a simple catch. India 98/5 (35 overs)

GOT HIM! Hazlewood gets the breakthrough as Rahane smashes one straight to Head at point. Gone for 30.

India 5-98 #AUSvIND https://t.co/mzWOwn19la — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

# Vihari and Rahane are hanging at the crease at the moment as they look to stitch a partnership for India. The visitors should afford to lose any further wicket till the end of the fourth day's play. The Australian bowlers, meanwhile, definitely want to grab another wicket before stumps.  India 97/4 (32 overs)

Rahane (29*) and Vihari (19*) digging in here against the Aussies.

India 4-97 needing 190 more runs to win... #AUSvIND https://t.co/mzWOwn19la — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

# Having removed Kohli and Vijay in the space of two overs to severely dent India's chances of chasing down the target of 287 runs, Lyon continues to pile pressure on the Indian batsmen as he looks to once again pick up a five-wicket haul in this innings. Vihari, meanwhile, is facing the challenge positively and that is what the visitors require right now. India 79/4 (28 overs)

# Hanuma Vihari is the new batsman in! 

# Wicket! Lyon strikes again. The Australian offspinner bowls another beautiful delivery as Vijay attempts to go through the cover, but takes an inside edge into leg stump. The visitors are now down to four wickets and still need 232 runs to win. India 55/4 (22 overs)

BOWLED HIM! THE GOAT! AGAIN! What a delivery from Nathan Lyon to spin one back through the gate and knock over Vijay for 20.

India 4-55 #AUSvIND https://t.co/mzWOwn19la — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

# Ajinkya Rahane comes to bat No.5 !

# Wicket! Australia have bagged a big wicket in the form of Virat Kohli. As and when the Indian skipper was looking settled in the middle along with opener Murali Vijay, he was caught at the first slip by Usman Khawaja off Nathan Lyon's delivery.  Lyon tosses it up outside off, brings  Kohli forward who tries to defend, but gets the edge for Khawaja to take a sharp and a low catch.India 48/3 (19.1 overs)

GOT HIM! The GOAT! Lyon gets the massive wicket as Kohli edges to Khawaja at first slip. Gone for 17.

India 3-48 #AUSvIND https://t.co/mzWOwn19la — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

# Kohli and Vijay have settled down at the crease and are keeping India's scoreboard ticking at a slow pace. India need a big partnership from the duo, who is facing the huge task negotiating the pace and bounce from the Australian fast bowlers on a difficult Perth pitch. India 41/2 (14 overs)

# After losing two wickets cheaply, Kohli and Vijay are playing cautiously as they look to build a partnership to bring India back on track. The Australian bowlers, on the other hand, are not giving easy runs to the visitors. India 27/2 (9 overs)

# Play Resumes

# Tea! 

That's tea! India go to the break at 2-15 after early wickets for Starc and Hazlewood: https://t.co/mzWOwn19la #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/vtg0ZLKcmu — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

#  India have been reduced to 15/2 at tea, still needing 272 runs to win the match. It will now be interesting to see if Kohli, who struck a blistering knock of 123 in the first innings, will be able to replicate a similar kind of performance to guide the visitors to victory. 

# Skipper Kohli is the new batsman in for India! 

# Wicket! Hazlewood strikes for Australia. Another blow for India as Pujara was caught behind the wicket by skipper and keeper Tim Paine. The visitors have got off to a worst possible start as they are now down to two wickets. India 13/2 (4 overs)

GOT HIM! Another huge breakthrough as Pujara edges behind off Hazlewood for 4. Kohli to the crease just before tea...

India 2-13 #AUSvIND https://t.co/mzWOwn19la — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

# Cheteshwar Pujara comes to bat at No.3 ! 

# Wicket! Starc makes the breakthrough for Australia by dismissing opener KL Rahul for a duck on the fourth ball of the first over. The Australian quick bowls a good length inswinger, but Rahul gets an edge and the ball cannoned into the stumps. India 0/1 (0.4 overs)

BOWLED HIM! Starc strikes in the opening over. That's huge!

Rahul has to go in the opening over, chopping on for a duck.

India 1-0 #AUSvIND https://t.co/mzWOwn19la — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

# KL Rahul and Murali Vijay have walked down the crease to begin India's second innings. Starc to begin proceedings for Australia.  

# Play resumes

# Innings Break! 

Australia set India 287 to win!

Hazlewood and Starc added 36 potentially crucial runs for the final wicket after Shami claimed a six-for.

How will India fare in the chase? #AUSvIND LIVE
➡️ https://t.co/viG01Bpvlc pic.twitter.com/1bDzLeoZSs — ICC (@ICC) December 17, 2018

# Wicket! Bumrah gets the final wicket as he dismisses Starc for 14 runs. Australia are all out for 243 in the second innings and the visitors now require 287 runs to win the second Test in Perth.

ALL OUT! Bumrah bowls Starc for 14 to wrap up the innings, Australia all out for 243.

INDIA NEED 287 TO WIN #AUSvIND https://t.co/mzWOwn19la — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

# Hazlewood (16) and Starc (14) are batting cautiously at the moment as they look to extend Australia's lead over India past 300. The Indian bowlers, meanwhile, require just one more wicket to wrap up the hosts' innings. Australia 242/9 (93 overs)

# Play resumes

# Drinks! Australia 213/9 (89 overs)

# Josh Hazlewood comes in to bat !

#Wicket! India strike again. Shami has registered his career-best figures of six for 41 by removing Nathan Lyon for five. Another nasty bouncer for Shami and Lyon tries to go for the cover, only to see Hanuma Vihari take a good running catch. Australia 207/9 (87 overs)

Out. The ball after the nasty blow sees Lyon back away and hit one straight to Vihari. Gone for 5. Shami has six.

Australia 9-207, a lead of 250 #AUSvIND https://t.co/mzWOwn19la — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

# Nathan Lyon is the new batsman in for Australia!

# Wicket! Bumrah strikes for India. The Indian quick bowled an absolute jaffa to rattle Cummins stumps leaving the Aussie batsman stunned.  The visitors seem to be on a roll  at the moment as Paine's side are now down to eight wickets with an overall lead of 241. Australia 202 (84 overs)

Bowled. Wow. Bumrah gets one to skid through and it knocks over Cummins' stumps. Gone for 1.

Australia 8-198, a lead of 241 #AUSvIND https://t.co/mzWOwn19la — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

#Wicket! India have finally got what they have been waiting for so long, i.e, Usman Khawaja's wicket.  Shami delivers another fiery bouncer and Khawaja gloves it to Rishabh Pant. The Australian batsman goes for 72. Australia now down to seven wickets. Australia 198/7 (83 overs)

# Pat Cummins is the new batsman in!

Positive start for #TeamIndia courtesy a Shami double strike. Australia 196/6 now #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/s5hEe6xlwY — BCCI (@BCCI) December 17, 2018

# Wicket! Back-to-Back wickets for Shami. Finch gets the expected short-pitched delivery and he only manages to glove the ball to the left side, with Rishabh Pant making no mistake to grab the catch with ease.Australia 192/6 (79 overs) 

Out. Finch walks back out to resume his innings, but he only last one ball as he gloves one down the leg side. Gone for 25 and Shami will be on a hat-trick next over.

Australia 6-192, a lead of 235 #AUSvIND https://t.co/mzWOwn19la — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

#Wicket! The visitors finally manage to break a crucial partnership between Paine and Khawaja as Shami strikes in the very first over after lunch to remove Paine for 37. The Indian bowler delivers a nasty bouncer and Paine balloons the ball, only to hand Kohli a simple catch at second slip. Australia 192/5 (78.5 overs)

Out. A brute of a ball from Shami as Paine pops one up to Kohli off the glove. A serious delivery. The skipper gone for a vital 37.

Australia 5-192, a lead of 235 #AUSvIND https://t.co/mzWOwn19la — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

# Play resumes   

# Lunch!

# The hosts have ended the session on 190/4 to stretch their lead to 233. Australia are currently in the drivers' seat, while India will be very disappointed as they have failed to take a wicket today. Australia 190/4 (78 overs)

That's lunch! You can't look away...

Great session for Australia at 4-190 with Khawaja 67* and Paine 37*. The hosts lead by 233: https://t.co/mzWOwn19la #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/yPC8MBJzc2 — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

# Khawaja and Paine are going strong as they have come up with a 50-run partnership in 177 balls for the sixth wicket. The duo acheived the same when Khawaja smashed the ball on the off side for a single in the 72nd over. Meanwhile, some words were also exchanged between Kohli and Paine, but the Indian bowlers need to maintain their calm at the moment. Australia 182/4 (75 overs)

# India have called in spinner for the first time on Day 4, with Hanuma Vihari replacing Ishant Sharma. Vihari too makes a tidy start giving just two runs in his first over (65th over) before the visitors make another change by bringing in Bumrah to replace Umesh Yadav. Australia have pushed their lead to 214 runs as Khawaja and Paine continue to stand strong in the middle. Australia 171/4 (70 overs) 

# Khawaja (55*) brings up a blistering half-century and he is accompanied by skipper Paine (20*) at the crease as Australia cross their lead past 200 runs. It is Khawaja's 14th Test half-century and has come off 155 balls. The Indian bowlers desperately need to break this partnership if they want to avoid the game going out of their hand. Australia 161/4 (65 overs)

FIFTY! A gritty knock from Usman Khawaja as he brings up his 14th Test half-century off 155 balls. Top stuff: https://t.co/mzWOwn19la #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/SXY9oYtSLd — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

# Khawaja and Paine continue to remain firm at the crease as Australia stretch their lead to 194 runs with six wickets still remaining in their hand. Indian skipper Virat Kohli has used all four fast bowlers of the side this morning in order to break the duo's partnership. Australia 151/4 (61 overs)

# Ishant Sharma brought into the attack!

# Umesh Yadav replaces Bumrah into the attack! 

# Meanwhile, Australia experienced a nervy moment in the 54th over when Khawaja luckily survived a dismissal. The Australian batsman attempted to take a single by playing the delivery with soft hands and Bumrah ran up to the ball and took aim on the turn, but misses the chance. 

# The Australian batsmen have resumed the side's innings cautiously this morning. However, the duo can afford to play their shots right now, knowing that the hosts have come close to the 200-run lead and that their tail-enders have the ability to stretch the same. The Indian bowlers have bowled exceedingly well so far, but the only thing they are missing is wickets. Australia 142/4 (56 overs)

# Bumrah makes a tight start, conceding just two runs from his very first over of the day. Mohammed Shami joins him into the attack and starts his spell with a maiden over. While Bumrah follows it up with four runs in his second over, Shami backs it up with another maiden over. Australia 138/4 (52 overs)

# Usman Khawaja and Tim Paine have walked down the crease to resume Australia's innings. Jasprit Bumrah to begin the proceedings for India. 

#The fourth day's play is all set to get underway!

Day 4 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/3kS08xpBZp — BCCI (@BCCI) December 17, 2018

​#  Australian opener Aaron Finch has been cleared to resume batting on day four after he got retired hurt at the stroke of tea when a short delivery from Mohammed Shami landed awkwardly on his finger in the 12th over.        

UPDATE: Aaron Finch has been cleared to resume batting on day four! https://t.co/mzWOwn19la #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/u1UE0YpCR3 — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2018

Despite dismissing Australia's top-order, India ended the third day's play of the second Test on the backfoot, trailing the hosts by 175 runs at the Perth Stadium on Sunday. 

At stumps, Australia have reached 132/4 in their second innings, with Usman Khawaja (unbeaten at 41) and skipper Tim Paine (unbeaten at eight) batting on the crease. 

The hosts began their second innings cautiously, with openers Marcus Harris (20) and Aaron Finch (25) slowly and steadily bringing runs and tackling the threat of Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma with the new ball. The two Indian bowlers were constantly seen rattling the Australians, with Bumrah also hitting Harris' helmet with a bouncer. 

However, Finch had to retire hurt before tea when a short delivery from Mohammed Shami landed awkwardly on the Australian in the 12th over. 

While Australia also lost Shaun Marsh (five), Travis Head (19) and Peter Handscomb (13) cheaply, Usman Khawaja gave a good fightback by notching a calm and composed unbeaten knock of 41 runs. 

Meanwhile, the Indian bowlers performed exceedingly well on the third day but they had to struggle hard for wickets, with Shami being the most economical bowler for his figures of two for 23. Bumrah and Sharma also chipped in with a wicket each. 

Earlier, resuming on the overnight score of 172/3, India lost Rahane (51) on the fourth ball of the first over of the day. However, skipper Virat Kohli (123) brought up his 25th Test ton off  214 balls to ensure India's gap comes down to 50 runs.

Kohli reached the milestone by punching the ball straight down the ground to collect four runs off Mitchell Starc's full length delivery.It was also Kohli's 6th century in Australia, equalling the record of great Sachin Tendulkar.

Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant (36) also showed some resistance with the bat before India's innings was folded for 283 runs in 105.5 overs.

Nathan Lyon was the pick of the bowlers for Australia for his exceptional figures of five for 67. While Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood bagged two wickets each, Pat Cummins also chipped in with a wicket.  

Lineups: 

India XI: KL Rahul, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma.

Australia XI: Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Tim Paine (c,wk), Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood (vc).