Australia in trouble in first India Test

Australia were bowled out for 192 in their second innings on the penultimate day of the first Test on Monday, setting India a 216-run target to win.

Spinner Harbhajan Singhu00a0 and Zaheer Khan built on paceman Ishant Sharma's three-wicket burst as India put Australia under pressure in the opening Test on Monday.

Sharma removed Shane Watson, skipper Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke in a sensational second spell before Australia lost three wickets for 65 runs in the afternoon session.

Australia reached 165-6 in their second innings at tea for an overall lead of 188 on the penultimate day.

Off-spinner Harbhajan dismissed Michael Hussey (28) and Marcus North (10).

Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha dismissed Simon Katich, who batted patiently for his 37 before being caught behind in the afternoon. Both Katich and Hussey completed 4,000 Test runs during their knocks.

Australia were comfortably placed at 87 for no loss following an entertaining half-century from Watson (56) before faltering against Sharma, who grabbed three wickets for eight runs in three overs before lunch.

India were bowled out for 405 in their first innings on Sunday in reply to Australia's 428.

Sharma dismissed Watson and Ponting (four) in his first over of the second spell and nearly got a third wicket when he had Clarke caught by Virender Sehwag at short mid-wicket.

But it was declared a no-ball after on-field umpire Billy Bowden of New Zealand consulted TV umpire Sanjay Hazare.

Sharma did not have to wait long for his next success as he had Clarke caught behind for four runs in his next over.

In-form Watson, who hit a hundred in the first innings, smashed one six and seven fours in his 59-ball knock before playing a Sharma delivery on to his stumps while attempting to pull.

Ponting lasted just four deliveries, pulling Sharma to Suresh Raina at backward square-leg.

Watson, who scored a century in each innings of a practice match before the Test, batted aggressively in the morning, punishing both seamers and spinners on an easy-paced track.

With Sharma looking unimpressive in his opening two-over spell, India introduced spin after five overs but failed to put pressure on the Australian openers.

Watson greeted Ojha with a four and then a six over long-on in the same over. He completed his 10th Test half-century off just 51 balls, flicking Harbhajan for two runs.