Hanuma Vihari and R Ashwin came out unbeaten with their 62-run partnership off 269 balls. Both stayed in the middle for more than three and a half hours.
India managed to draw the Sydney Test and series level at 1-1. Earlier, Australia was firmly on course for a victory in the third Test after getting rid of a dangerous Rishabh Pant and the rock-steady Cheteshwar Pujara, reducing India to 280 for 5 at Tea in pursuit of 407.
India now needs 107 runs to win but, in all probability, will be looking to survive in the final session of the match to salvage a draw. Pant (97) and Pujara (77) added 148 runs for the fourth wicket in an amazing counter-attacking partnership before their dismissals put India in a spot with an injured Hanuma Vihari (4 batting) in the company of Ravichandran Ashwin (7 batting) engaged in an arduous battle.
Earlier on Day 4, openers Shubman Gill (31) and Rohit Sharma (52) were winkled out by the Australian pace attack in the final session, leaving Cheteshwar Pujara, who had scored nine not out, and skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who was unbeaten on four, to continue the fight.
With no rain forecast for Monday, the tourists face a long day batting on a deteriorating wicket if they are to avoid going 2-1 down in the series before they head to Brisbane for the final Test.
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