New Delhi: Australian spinner Nathan Lyon took five-wicket haul to dent India's hopes of taking big first innings lead and leave the match nicely poised on the second day of the fourth Test at Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi.
Umpires decided to call off stumps after Lyon captured his fifth wicket by removing Ravichandran Ashwin. India ended the Day 2 at 266/8 with a slender lead of 4 runs.
Bowling change done the trick for Australia when Shane Watson brought Glenn Maxwell into the attack who struck on the second delivery of his first over to remove Ravindra Jadeja.
Jadeja smashed 43 off just 49 balls to lead India's fightback and added crucial 44-run stand with Ravichandran Ashwin to take India close to Australia's total.
Australian pacer James Pattinson added India's woes as he scalped MS Dhoni to leave tottering at 210/6.
Nathan Lyon was on a roll as he picked up five wickets to lead Australia's fightback on Day 2.
Lyon gave India huge blow by dismissing Sachin Tendulkar to reduce the hosts to 180/5. Tendulkar missed short of a length delivery with his defense and caught plumb in front.
Debutant Ajinkya Rahane failed to grab the chance as he scored 7 runs before went back to the pavilion.
India suffered a massive blow as they lost in-form Murali Vijay after tea. Peter Siddle captured his 150th Test wicket by removing Vijay for 57.
Vijay surprised by the short of a length delivery from Siddle as the ball hit on the gloves and went in the air. Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade took the simple catch to end Vijay's knock.
Vijay continued with his fine form against Australia as his impressive half century and a solid opening stand with Cheteshwar Pujara took India to 135 for two at tea.
At the break, Vijay was batting on 54 in company of Sachin Tendulkar, who survived a few anxious moments including a strong leg before appeal to remain unbeaten on 12.
Earlier, Pragyan Ojha picked up his 100th Test wicket while R Aswhin snared five as Australia were bowled out for 262.
Off-spinner R Ashwin cleaned up Peter Siddle, who hit his maiden Test 50, to give India crucial breakthrough.
Ashwin cleaned up Siddle (51) in style to pick up his fifth wicket. This is Ashwin's ninth five-wicket haul in 16 Tests.
Peter Siddle and James Pattinson added crucial 54 runs for the ninth wicket to lead Australia's first innings against India.
Siddle finally managed to score his maiden Test half-century that too under trying circumstances.
Siddle's fifty came through 128 balls with the help of four boundaries.
Brief scores
Australia 262 (Siddle 51, Ashwin 5-57)
India 266 for 8 (Vijay 57, Pujara 52, Lyon 5-94)
Status India lead by 4 runs