India negotiated their first session for the loss of only one wicket as they looked to save the final Sydney Test against Australia on Saturday’s last day.
The Australians declared at their overnight total of 251 for six, leaving the tourists to chase 349 runs to win off 90 overs.
But India were more concerned with survival on the wearing Sydney Cricket Ground pitch to avoid a third loss in the four-match series.
At lunch, India were 73 for one off 29 overs with Murali Vijay unbeaten on 35 and Rohit Sharma on 19.
The highest successful run chase in the fourth innings of a Sydney Test is Australia’s 288 for two against South Africa nine years ago.
The home side set up their declaration with some explosive hitting on Friday’s fourth day, adding 213 runs off 34 overs in the last session.
First innings centurion Lokesh Rahul was the only wicket to fall in the morning session.
He advanced down the wicket only to glove Nathan Lyon to David Warner at leg-slip for 16 in the 14th over.
Sharma then survived a tight stumping appeal on Lyon’s next ball.
It took the TV umpire many replays to decide to give Sharma the benefit of the doubt as he managed to drag his back foot back in time. (AFP)
