Australia go back to the future

Adelaide has hosted two thrilling come-from-behind victories over the past five years and Adam Gilchrist looked back at them as Australia chased India's first-innings 526. The series-deciding Test took a similar path to the Ashes contest of 2006-07 and the India game of 2003-04 , which gives the home team some hope of securing a 3-1 result.

"Last year we saw extraordinary twists and turns against England," Gilchrist said. "And we know the story of India winning the Test after conceding 550 (sic. 556) in the first innings. It's almost a spitting image of those games. Fortunately the teams that batted second in both those games won."

Gilchrist said the team had a lot of work to do to stay in touch, but he was buoyed by the batting of India on the flat surface. Anil Kumble guided the tail with a hard-working 87 and he gained useful support from the tail-enders.

Australia knocked 62 from their initial target, with Matthew Hayden reaching 36 and Phil Jaques 21, and Gilchrist drew strength from the display. "It's been two tiring days but the wicket is a nice wicket," he said. "We've got to make every partnership count. Fortunately we got through tonight and have a good platform to work on."