Ricky Ponting leads Australia fightback

Occasional off spinner Virender Sehwag grabbed three wickets but Ricky Ponting struck 87 as Australia reached 338 for four on the third day of the third test against India Friday.

Australian skipper Ponting led a top order fightback in reply to India's daunting first innings 613 for seven declared.

Sehwag bowled Ponting and Mike Hussey (53) in the final session after trapping opener Matthew Hayden (83) before tea.

At stumps, Michael Clarke was on 21 with Shane Watson on four, both surviving a few testing overs from Sehwag and leg spinner Amit Mishra on a pitch showing signs of wear and tear.

Hayden raised 123 runs with fellow opener Simon Katich (64) before adding another 79 for the next wicket with Ponting in the first two sessions.

Australia were coasting at 202 for one when Sehwag trapped Hayden leg before but Ponting added 82 runs for the third wicket with Hussey as the pair got on top of the Indian bowling attack.

However, Sehwag took three for 66 from 22 overs on his home ground to bolster an attack already without injured off spinner Harbhajan Singh.

Skipper Anil Kumble was also forced off the field after lunch when the team's lead spinner suffered a bad cut on his left hand after dropping Hayden on 70 and had to be taken to hospital.