Ben Hilfenhaus rocks India to set up tense finale

First Test, Mohali (day four, close)
India 405 & 55-4 v Australia 428 & 192
Match scorecard

Hilfenhaus tore through India's top order in Mohali on Monday

Fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus took three quick wickets late on the fourth day to boost Australia's chances of winning the first Test against India in Mohali.

The hosts, needing 216 to win, were 55-4 at the close, leaving the match in the balance going into the final day.

Hilfenhaus (3-22) removed Gautam Gambhir (0), Virender Sehwag (17) and Suresh Raina (0), while Doug Bollinger snared Rahul Dravid (13).

Earlier, Australia were skittled out for 192 in their second innings.

The tourists appeared to be cruising on 87-0 but Ishant Sharma took three quick wickets to spark a collapse.

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He bowled Shane Watson for 56, had captain Ricky Ponting (four) caught at backward square-leg and Michael Clarke (four) caught behind in two sensational overs.

Spinners Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha picked their way through the middle order with two victims apiece and Zaheer Khan (3-43) rattled through the tail.

Simon Katich (37) and Mike Hussey (28) both passed 4,000 Test runs during their innings.

Hilfenhaus led Australia's fightback in the final session, trapping Gambhir lbw, although television replays appeard to detect an inside edge.

Dravid was caught behind off Bollinger before Hilfenhaus removed Sehwag and Raina with short rising deliveries.

With batsman VVS Laxman struggling with a back injury, India's hopes of victory appear to lie with Sachin Tendulkar, who was unbeaten on 10 at the close, alongside nightwatchman Zaheer (five not out).

Australia were dismissed for 428 in their first innings, before India made 405 in reply.