Third Test, Day 4: India close in on win as Australia reach 258/8 at stumps

India came within sniffing distance of a defining victory before a stoic resistance by Australia's tail delayed the inevitable in the third Test on Saturday.

Pat Cummins scored a heroic half-century as Australia finished at 258 for eight at stumps on day four after being reduced to 176 for seven after tea.

Ravindra Jadeja (3-82) got the big breakthrough with Paine caught behind and it seemed like Australia's last fight had gone out. 

Post lunch, Usman Khawaja (33) and Shaun Marsh (44) came out playing attacking shots and the scoring rate peaked at its highest for the duration of this Test.

The four-match series is level at 1-1 after India won the first Test in Adelaide by 31 runs and Australia claimed the second in Perth by 146 runs.