Kohli leads India rearguard in Australia cricket Test

Rising batting star Virat Kohli led an Indian recovery against Australia on the third day of the fourth Test in Adelaide on Thursday after paceman Peter Siddle struck twice for the hosts. At tea India were 225 for six, with Kohli nearing the tourists' first century of the series, after Siddle removed Sachin Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir in the space of 10 balls to put Australia on top at lunch. The 23-year-old, 91 not out off 182 balls, is India's best hope of reaching the 405 runs they need to avoid the follow-on, after Australia declared their first innings on a massive 604 for seven. Debutant Test wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha was bowled by Ryan Harris in the last over before tea for 35 -- the only Indian wicket to fall in the middle session -- ending a 114-run partnership with Kohli. Playing in his eighth Test, Kohli showed up his under-performing senior batsmen with his confident knock, pulling Michael Clarke for six and hitting seven fours. Siddle had Tendulkar and Gambhir dismissed to brilliant diving catches behind the wicket in two overs to put early pressure on the beleaguered tourist. Spinner Nathan Lyon followed up with the wicket of misfiring V.V.S. Laxman for 18 shortly before lunch. Tendulkar again missed out on his 100th international century when he was dismissed for 25 inside the opening hour. Siddle struck with the second ball of his fifth over, enticing an edge off Tendulkar's bat for a diving Ricky Ponting to scoop it up low down at second slip. Gambhir was out in Siddle's next over when he was unable to keep down a lifting delivery and was caught off the shoulder of his bat by a diving Mike Hussey at gully for 34. The wholehearted Siddle had captured two huge wickets in 10 balls to seize the initiative for Australia. It was the third time in the series Siddle claimed Tendulkar's wicket and at tea had taken 3-41 off 11 overs. Laxman's miserable series continued when he edged a bouncier Lyon delivery into the gloves of Brad Haddin. In seven innings in the series Laxman has scored just 120 runs at 17.14. The Indians are facing a 4-0 series wipeout in the final Test after heavy losses in the opening three Tests.