Australia face tall task to save first Test as top order struggle against India's bowling attack

Australia face an uphill task to salvage the first Test against India after ending day four requiring 219 runs with six wickets remaining.

India resumed their second innings in a commanding position on 151 for three and added a further 156 runs on Sunday in Adelaide to leave Australia chasing a target of 323.

Two wickets each for Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammed Shami strengthened the tourists' position as the hosts lost openers Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris, as well as Usman Khawaja and Peter Handscomb, before closing on 104 for four.

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Nathan Lyon, who removed India captain Virat Kohli late on day three, had earlier given Australia a chance of a comeback with a further five wickets.

Cheteshwar Pujara, who was twice given out to Lyon on Saturday but survived two reviews, was finally removed by the Australian bowler for 71 in the 88th over, caught at short leg by Finch.

Lyon also removed Ajinkya Rahane for 70 and dismissed Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant and Shami, while Mitchell Starc took the wickets of Ishant Sharma and Ashwin as India lost their final four wickets for just four runs.

The late implosion gave Australia hope but their top order struggled to deal with India's bowling attack.

Finch fell victim to Ashwin for just eight runs before Test debutant Harris, who was also caught by Pant, was dismissed by Shami for 26 with the second ball of the 16th over.

Khawaja sliced a Ashwin delivery into the hands of Rohit Sharma at deep extra cover and Pujara caught Handscomb at midwicket off the bowling of Shami to leave Shaun Marsh (31) and Travis Head (11) at the crease going into the final day.