Australia's hopes of levelling the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at 2-2 are all but over after India star Virat Kohli went big in his first Test century in more than three years.
India piled on a massive 571, comfortably eclipsing Australia's 480, as the fourth Test in Ahmedabad continued its path towards a likely dull draw.
In a shock move reflecting the moribund state of the match, Australian number 11 Matt Kuhnemann went in to open the batting with Travis Head after Usman Khawaja went off the field with lower-leg soreness following a catching attempt gone wrong on the boundary.
Head, on 3, and Kuhnemann, yet to score, survived the six overs to take Australia to 0-3 at stumps as India spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin pushed hard for a breakthrough.
It would be a huge blow for Australia if Khawaja cannot bat again in the Test following his epic 180 in the first innings to ensure he is the leading run-scorer in the series from either team.
Earlier Kohli, who broke through for his first Test century in 42 innings, since November 2019, was India's last man out for 186, his best score against Australia.
The 34-year-old was determined to make up for lost time, but none of his concentration left him after he reached his 28th Test century — and eighth against Australia — in perfect batting conditions.
His marathon innings lasted 346 balls and eight hours, after he resumed on Sunday on 59 not out.
Australia took just one wicket in each of the first two sessions of the day, meaning both teams have spent almost two entire days in the field.
But Australia was able to claim four wickets in the final session, leaving some 15 minutes to bat before stumps.
The match in the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium has been a dramatic turnaround after the first three Tests ended in less than three days on raging turners.
India number five Shreyas Iyer did not bat as he deals with a back issue and is in doubt to play any further part in the match.
Young Australian spin sensation Todd Murphy (3-113) dismissed star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (28) in the day's first session to continue his outstanding first Test series.
Murphy, who claimed 7-124 on Test debut in Nagpur last month, has bowled with control beyond his 22 years, barely giving India's batters a bad ball through 46 overs.
For the fourth time in the series, Murphy claimed Kohli's wicket.
Nathan Lyon sent down an extraordinary 65 overs for his 3-151.
If India win this Test it will secure their place in the World Test Championship final at The Oval in London in June, against Australia.
India will still likely qualify regardless but could be overtaken if Sri Lanka win 2-0 in New Zealand.
AAP
Look back at how the action on day four unfolded in our blog.
Key events
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Live updates
That'll do me
By Simon Smale
OK, I'm outta here for the evening folks.
Thanks again for joining me this Sunday afternoon for a day that has set up an intriguing finale.
I, like plenty of you, think that 90-odd run lead for India might be more troublesome than we think - especially if there is no Usman Khawaja tomorrow - he will have scans on a lower leg injury later.
However, the fact that Australia didn't lose any wickets is big and, with some composure, they should be able to bat long enough - assuming the pitch stays true enough.
That's all for tomorrow though, and I hope to see as many of you then as possible.
Bye for now!
I still think we need to wait until the end of the fifth day
By Simon Smale
This feels so familiar. Serve up 3 spinning dust bowls that don’t last three days. Address the criticism by serving up and absolute road.
- Chris
That's the joy of Test cricket, right? Results are all still possible right up until the last moment.
Marathon effort
By Simon Smale
Hats off to you Simon on your marathon solo efforts. Mercifully the innings is over.
- Top Cat
You are most welcome, Top Cat.
However, during the drinks breaks I have a team of physios come and massage my hands.
Run out without facing in Test cricket
By Simon Smale
Has to have been a while since there was one in test cricket!
- Diamond Duck!
Harry Brook was actually run out without facing in the England chase against New Zealand in Wellington at Basin Reserve last month.
So it's not as uncommon as you'd think.
Stay positive
By Simon Smale
Indian victory coming up. We will fold.
- John
The fifth day is going to be epic
By Simon Smale
These moments are the best moments of test matches, delicately poised
- Yes!
Stumps: Australia 0-3 (Head 3, Kuhnemann 0), trail by 88
By Simon Smale
Well done Travis Head and Matt Kuhnemann, they survive to the close with their wickets intact.
The final day is going to be interesting now.
A lot has been made of this pitch and how terrible it is, and that is at least half true.
However, Test cricket is more than being just about taking wickets. It's about managing fatigue, mental and physical. It's about managing concentration too, and don't doubt for a minute that Australia is going to need to concentrate and bat well to get enough runs on the board to be safe from losing this Test tomorrow.
I think the game is set up quite nicely and, if India gets a bit of a roll on, watch out.
6th over - Mohammed Shami will bowl the last
By Simon Smale
Australia's delaying tactics mean we will lose seven overs today, so this is the last and Shami will bowl it.
Head defends the first two back down the pitch.
Short catching cover and midwicket, there were two slips earlier in the over but now there's just one, Head defends into the midwicket region. No run yet.
Head clips off his pads and gets a single to bat pad.
India has two balls at Kuhnemann, and the field is getting closer...
One slip, short leg comes in, so too does a straight silly point.
CLOSE! Short leg in the game, did that ball fall just short of him as he dived? Yes, just short and wide. My goodness. Close.
Kuhnemann defends the last.
5th over - Ashwin continues
By Simon Smale
Head defends towards the silly point a couple of times, and then dabs into the leg side for a single past bat pad.
Two slips, leg slip, silly point and bat pad: so five men around the bat.
Ashwin tosses it up and Kuhnemann defends.
EDGED! DROPPED! That ball has hit the outside edge and flown to the keeper, who does not get his gloves down to it and it hits Bharat on the pad. It was the carrom ball, faster, it turned away, a delightful ball of devilry from Ashwin.
Bharat has not had a good Test with the gloves and that would have been a sharp catch, but why was he not down ready for that?
Big let off.
I think you're right...
By Simon Smale
I don't think a draw is inevitable. Australia have to bat when the pitch will be at it's worst (which might not be even how other test day 1 were but still worst here). We need to bat well to save the test for over 100 overs!
- Match situation
A couple of wickets fall, panic sets in...
Who knows what could happen here.
4th over - Jadeja comes in again
By Simon Smale
Matt Kuhnemann is trying to waste as much time as he can.
OH INSIDE EDGE! That ball turned a lot and the ball hit the pad via the bat. There was a bit of dust popping up there from the ball when it pitched.
There are three catchers on the leg side at bat pad, one backward of square, a short leg fielder and two forward.
Oh this is not going to be easy.
BIG APPEAL! I think it was hitting outside off. And was, say the replay.
Kuhnemann defends.
Full, Kuhnemann defends into the off side.
There is still an orthodox slip in place.
Off the inside edge to the most forward of the three catchers on the leg side to end the over.
3rd over - Ashwin comes in again
By Simon Smale
Two slips and a man on either side square of the batter in close. The field away from them are in too - inviting the shot over the top maybe?
Head defends a couple and then flicks the ball into the leg side but there is no run to square leg.
Great stop at cover by Rohit Sharma diving down to his left to save a run or four.
Head defends off his pads.
And now is back defending off off stump.
I don't think it's become a minefield
By Simon Smale
That wrapped up a bit quicker than expected - hope the pitch hasn't woken from it's slumber
- Mike
But it may misbehave a bit more than we've seen.
2nd over - Jadeja comes into the attack
By Simon Smale
So the spin twins with the new ball at either end.
Travis Head drives into the off side. No run scored.
He tries a couple of times and can't get the ball awya really,
There is a leg gully, bat pad, orthodox slip and a silly point in a ring around the batter.
Head clips away to square leg and takes a single.
Kuhnemann, with the same field, prods to mid on to end the over.
1st over - Ravichandran Ashwin opens the bowling
By Simon Smale
Kuhnemann is facing.
There are two slips, silly point and a bat pad in place.
You don't often get a night watchman opening the batting. Jack Leach did against Ireland at Lord's for England in 2019 though and got 92, so there you go.
He's defending solidly first up.
BEATEN! Oh my, that's skidded through under the bat and missed the off stump by not much.
He defends the last.
Marnus Labuschagne is the next man in, he is padded up. I think this Kuhnemann solution was the only option really.
Matt Kuhnemann will open the batting for Australia
By Simon Smale
Australia has 15 minutes to face here.
With Usman Khawaja injured, Travis Head has been joined by night watchman Matt Kuhnemann.
Interesting...
Not sure what other options Australia had to be honest though...
Fancy a freshen up mid innings?
By Simon Smale
I know I've needed a couple of refreshers during this Test.
I am yet to have hair cut though mid blog...
India 571 all out
By Simon Smale
Shreyas Iyer is absent hurt, so that will be that for India's innings.
I think they might be a bit disappointed.
The lead is 91, but I think they'd have hoped to have a much bigger lead and try and have a dig at Australia tomorrow to set up a win.
Now, I think a draw is inevitable, there is not as much pressure on the Australian batters.
It could be an interesting passage of play coming up though...
OUT! KOHLI IS OUT CAUGHT IN THE DEEP!
By Simon Smale
Kohli goes for the slog sweep, doesn't get enough on it and ends a wonderful innings 186 off 364 balls.
Marnus Labuschagne takes the catch, one of two fielders in the deep for that shot.
179th over - Murphy continues
By Simon Smale
Kohli pushes down the ground to Murphy who fields.
Kohli sweeps but there is a fielder in position at fine leg.
Kohli drives now to deep long on and refuses the single.
Kohli defends back down the pitch.
