Steve Barrett
at Adelaide Oval
Australia captain Michael Clarke has decided against enforcing the follow-on after his Peter Siddle-inspired outfit overcame a fine maiden Virat Kohli ton to roll India for 272 partway through the final session on day three of the fourth Test at Adelaide Oval.
The home side will look to build on its commanding 382-run lead before giving its rested bowlers ample time to knock India over a second time.
India staged a recovery after lunch, following a disastrous opening session, but on the stroke of tea lost Wriddhiman Saha for a well compiled 35 to be reduced to 6-225.
The tourists lost four more wickets in the final session and never looked like giving Australia's huge first innings tally of 7-604 declared a shake.
Siddle, who brought the match alive shortly after tea when he almost snared his second Test hat-trick, finished with the brilliant figures of 5-49 as he ripped through the Indian line-up in batsman-friendly conditions.
The Victorian's lion-hearted efforts overshadowed a superb knock from Kohli, who stroked a fine 116.
It was Kohli's first Test century and, amazingly, the only individual ton scored by the tourists in seven completed innings this series.
On 91, the talented youngster survived a big lbw shout off a Ryan Harris ball but replays showed the angle of the ball would have taken it just past leg.
Drama unfolded the following over as Siddle trapped a shuffling R Ashwin in front for five.
The very next ball, incoming batsman Zaheer Khan showed little regard for the match situation or his partner's pending milestone when he swung wildly and edged the big-hearted Victorian speedster to Brad Haddin for a catch behind for a golden duck.
It was the vastly improved Siddle's well-deserved fifth wicket of the innings, his fifth five-wicket haul in Tests.
Ishant Sharma blocked out the hat-trick ball, before Siddle took his position at fine leg in front of the faithful on the Adelaide Oval hill, who afforded him rapturous roars of approval.
On 99, Kohli, fast running out of partners, almost gave it all away when he flashed at a couple of testing Siddle offerings outside off-stump before almost being run out as he desperately wanted a single off the last ball of a Siddle over when he set off after dropping one in front of point.
He had to turn back quickly and dive back in his crease, but a direct hit would have sealed his fate.
Kohli overcame his momentary jitters and brought up his ton with a push for two through the covers, the 23-year-old celebrating with a mid-pitch leap and a kiss of the helmet.
Sharma (16) provided steady support before Ben Hilfenhaus knocked over the top of his off-stump.
Kohli was the last man out after he missed a Hilfenhaus full-toss to be trapped lbw for a marvellous lone hand of 116 off 213 balls.