Perth: A clueless India were heading towards another humiliating series defeat with their struggling top order batsmen surrendering meekly in the third Test against Australia here on Saturday.
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 in the four match Test series.
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.
The poor batting undid the good work of the bowlers who had bundled out Australia for 369 in the first two sessions, claiming the last nine wickets for 139 runs.
Umesh Yadav was the pick of Indian bowlers with five wickets for 93 runs, this being his first five-wicket haul. (PTI)