Shaun Marsh was run out on 99 at MCG.
© AFP
Melbourne: Shaun Marsh was run out for 99 ahead of an Australia declaration that set India a record-breaking 384 runs to win the third Test on Tuesday, the final day in Melbourne. (Scorecard | Blog)
Marsh scampered after a suicidal single off Umesh Yadav only to be caught short of his ground by Virat Kohli's throw from behind the non-striker's end.
After a cautious session Marsh went after quick runs and hoisted Ravi Ashwin for a six and a four off successive balls to reach 96 but became edgy on 99 with a lunch-time declaration imminent.
Marsh became the 16th player in Test cricket to be run out on 99 and the third Australian, with all of them occurring in Melbourne. The last Australian was Arthur Morris in 1953.
Soon after Marsh's dismissal, skipper Steve Smith declared the Australian second innings at 318 for nine.
Australia added just 57 runs in a dawdling morning session, enlivened only by Marsh's belated attempt to claim his third Test century and first at home.
With a 2-0 series lead, the home side have only to draw the Melbourne Test to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ahead of the fourth and final Test in Sydney next week.
India will have to create history with the highest successful run chase at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, eclipsing the 332 achieved by England in 1928.
Teams have struggled to score more than 250 in the fourth innings on the drop-in pitch in recent years, with India all out for 169 (2011) and 161 (2007) in their last two Tests at the ground, both defeats.
The Indians have not won at the MCG for 33 years.
There were two rain delays in the morning session but 70 overs still remained to play after lunch.
It was Marsh's highest score against India and he was closing in on his third Test century and first home Test ton after knocks of 148 in South Africa and 141 in Sri Lanka.
Ashwin dropped a sharp caught and bowled chance when Marsh was on 86.
Ryan Harris was the other Australian wicket to fall in the morning session, caught behind off Mohammed Shami for 21 and giving M.S. Dhoni his ninth dismissal of the match.
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