Adelaide, Jan 26 (IANS): India were struggling to avoid follow-on as they were reduced to 122 for five in the first innings, in reply to Australia's 604 for seven declared, at lunch on the third day of the fourth and final cricket Test at the Adelaide Oval here Thursday.
Virat Kohli was unbeaten on 21 and wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha was five not out as India trail by 482 runs and need another 282 runs to save the ignominy of follow-on.
Peter Siddle struck twice to remove Sachin Tendulkar (25) and Gautam Gambhir (34) while spinner Nathan Lyon picked up V.V.S.Laxman (18).
Resuming at overnight score of 61/2, Indian batsmen struggled to get their act right on a perfect batting track and could score just 61 runs losing three wickets during the first session of the day.
More than 27,000 crowd turned up at the Adelaide Oval on the occasion of Australia Day, that also coincided with India's Republic Day, hoping to see Tendulkar get his 100th international century in the city of Don Bradman.
But Tendulkar edged a low catch to Ricky Ponting at second slip to make it 78/3 and Gambhir fell in Siddle's next over when the batsman popped a short ball to Mike Hussey at gully.
Laxman's poor run in the series continued when he was caught behind edging a cut shot from Lyon as keeper Brad Haddin pouched a neat catch.