Decimating a fragile second innings stand from the Australian batting order on day three, India on Monday cemented a major advantage in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and are in prime position to draw the series level. 

All five Indian bowlers were among the wickets as Australia were reduced to 133/6 at the end of the day’s play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), with the visitors looking to record a morale-boosting win and banish the ghosts from the first Test in Adelaide. 

The only worry for skipper Ajinkya Rahane will be the calf muscle injury sustained by pacer Umesh Yadav, who hobbled out of play after experiencing pain in his left leg. 

After posting an imposing 326 in reply to Australia’s first innings total of 195, India got an early first breakthrough in the third over as Yadav induced an edge from Joe Burns (4 from 10). However, his spell was cut short as he pulled up in his third over and called for medical attention. 

Marnus Labuschagne (28 from 49) was looking impressive until he edged a slider from Ravichandran Ashwin to Rahane in the slips. 

Matthew Wade (40 from 137) and Steve Smith (8 from 30) saw out the remaining overs until the tea break, by when Australia were 65/2, trailing India by 66 runs. 

India got four wickets in the final session, starting with Smith, who continued his poor form in the series with another low score, as a delivery from Jasprit Bumrah just about dislodged the bails after clipping the leg stump. 

Wade followed next after being trapped lbw by Ravindra Jadeja, the pick of the bowlers so far with 2/25. Mohammed Siraj then sent Travis Head (17 from 46) back to the pavilion.

Jadeja got his second scalp after skipper Tim Paine (1 from 9) was contentiously given out, with reviews for a caught-behind appeal showing a slight spike as the ball passed the bat, but nothing on the hotspot. 

India could have had a seventh wicket, but keeper Rishabh Pant couldn’t hold on to a Pat Cummins edge off Ashwin. Cameron Green (17 from 65) and Cummins (15 from 53) remained not out at the end of the day’s play.