The Australian cricketers need 381 to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy after dismissing India in their second innings for 295 on day four of the deciding test in Nagpur.
There was a farcical situation after the tea break when the Australian captain Ricky Ponting couldn't use his pace bowlers at the most pivotal moment of the series, fearing a ban for a pedestrian over rate.
The Australian off spinner Jason Krejza took four second innings wickets to end up with 12 for 358 - the third best test debut of all time, but oddly, also the second most runs conceded in a test match.
Australia will go into the final day 13 without loss in their second innings.