India tear through Australian top order

Australia is staring down the barrel of a humiliating second Test defeat, slumping to 5 for 58 in the final session of day four in Mohali.

Harbhajan Singh removed both Matthew Hayden and Simon Katich in the last over before tea and then trapped Michael Hussey lbw soon after the resumption of play.

The very next over, Ishant Sharma clean bowled skipper Ricky Ponting for 2 with a magnificient cutting delivery.

Shane Watson was the latest victim, also departing for 2 after falling lbw to Sharma, leaving Australia still 458 runs in arrears.

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The home side declared its second innings at 3 for 314 about an hour after the lunch break, setting Australia an insurmountable 516 for victory.

Both Hayden and Katich took to the Indian attack early, smashing eight boundaries between them before being dismissed by Harbhajan in the off spinner's first over.

Hayden was the first to go for 29, given lbw attempting a sweep shot before Katich (20) edged a loose drive to gully where Sachin Tendulkar took a brilliant diving catch.

Hussey fell for 1 when he was caught plumb in front attempting a slap through on the onside.

Earlier, opener Gautam Gambhir's 104 and a breezy 68 not out by captain MS Dhoni helped the Indians to an intimidating final day target.

Australia's bowlers toiled with little success on a dry and slow Mohali pitch where India scored 130 runs from 26 overs in the first session.

Left-hander Gambhir, who made his second test century, and fellow Delhi batsman Virender Sehwag piled on 182 runs for the opening wicket after India had resumed on their overnight 0 for 100.

Sehwag was dismissed for 90, edging paceman Peter Siddle to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin to miss out on a 16th Test hundred on his 30th birthday.

The aggressive opener, who survived a caught behind appeal on 88, hit eight fours from 122 balls in three hours.

Gambhir hit seven fours and one six facing 138 balls as both openers fell before lunch chasing quick runs.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting spread out the field but could not really stem the flow of runs.

Brett Lee, who has been below his best in the series and needed two stitches on an injury to his right hand, removed Sourav Ganguly for 27 in his only spell of the second innings.