Bumrah-powered India in charge

A clinical India had Australia on the ropes yesterday and staring at defeat in the third Test after skittling them for 151 before a devastating spell by Pat Cummins sparked the game back into life.

At stumps, the visitors had a formidable 346 cushion with five wickets left and two days to play as they inch closer to a first ever series win Down Under. The series is currently tied at 1-1 with just the Sydney Test next week to go.

Once again the home team's batting frailties were exposed as they struggled not only with a deteriorating Melbourne pitch -- 15 wickets fell on Friday -- but outstanding bowling from young pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

He ended with a career-best 6-33, collecting his third five-wicket Test haul having also achieved the feat against South Africa and England.

With a 292-run first innings advantage, Indian skipper Virat Kohli could have enforced the follow on but instead opted to turn the screws and add to the imposing total.

But his batsmen also found it tough going and they slumped to 54 for five.

Cummins was Australia's best bowler in India's first innings 443 for seven declared and was chief destroyer, claiming four runs for 3 wickets off his first four overs.

His scalps also included opener Hanuma Vihari (13) and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane (1).

Josh Hazlewood chipped in with the wicket of Rohit Sharma (5) with debutant Mayank Agarwal watching the carnage from the other end. He was not out 28 with Rishabh Pant on six.

SCORES IN BRIEF:

INDIA v AUSTRALIA

INDIA: First innings 443 & second innings 54 for 5 (Agarwal 28 not out, Vihari 13; Cummins 4-10, Hazlewood 1-13)

AUSTRALIA: First innings 151 (Harris 22, Paine 22, Khawaja 21; Bumrah 6-33, Jadeja 2-45, Shami 1-27)