India were in dire straits at 24 for two chasing 299 for victory on the Day Five of the opening cricket Test against Australia at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Monday.

After Ricky Ponting made a sporting declaration at 228 for six to set a challenging but gettable victory target, his pacemen struck. First Stuart Clark got rid of dangerman Virender Sehwag caught by Matthew Hayden at slip for six. One-drop Rahul Dravid was then sent back by Brett Lee when the former captain clipped one to Aussie skipper Ponting at short mid-wicket. It was a stunner of a catch which left India stunned. While Dravid could score only five, India depended on the experience of Sachin Tendulkar and the flair of Gautam Gambhir at the other end.

Gambhir had a close call when a run out decision went to the third umpire. The Delhi batsman also survived a leg before call much to the relief of the home camp.

India are not known to bat well in a fourth innings of the game and the record shows that they have succumbed while chasing smaller targets.

The pitch will do the Indian batsmen no favours just as the Australian pace attack comprising Lee, Clark and Johnson. Australia don't have much experience in their lone specialist spinner Cameron White but part-time tweaker Michael Clarke has proved to be a handful for Kumble's Indians.

Game on!