Perth, Jan 14: A clueless India were heading towards another humiliating series defeat with their struggling top order batsmen surrendering meekly in the third cricket Test against Australia here today.
Trailing by 208 runs in the first innings, India were reeling at 88 for four in their second innings at stumps on the second day on a bouncy WACA pitch.
The visitors now face the possibility of another innings defeat as they trail by 120 runs with six second innings wickets in hand after Australia had made 369 all out in their first innings, riding on David Warner's blistering 180.
Australia, on the other hand, are on the verge of claiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a possible win of the third Test inside three days to go 3-0 up in the four match Test series.
The hosts had beaten India in the first Test in Melbourne by 122 runs and clinched the second Test in Sydney by an innings and 68 runs.
Out of form openers Gautam Gambhir (14) and Virender Sehwag (10) were once again sitting ducks to the new ball while Sachin Tendulkar (8) -- out to a debatable LBW decision, and VVS Laxman (0) followed them quickly in the hut.
Rahul Dravid (33) and Virat Kohli (21) then saw through the day and have so far put on 37 runs for the unseparated fifth wicket.
Dravid has so far batted for 99 minutes and hit six fours from 63 balls. Kohli has kept vigil for 84 minutes and hit three fours from 39 balls.
For Australia, left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc did the star turn for as he removed Gambhir and Tendulkar in the space of seven deliveries to rock the visitors.
