The Indian batsmen will face an uphill task on Monday in order to avoid defeat against Australia in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The visitors are chasing a big target of 407 and will have to be clever in their approach to earn a possible result on the final day’s play.

Australia started Sunday’s action, eager to build on their substantial lead of 197 with Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith at the crease.

Both players surpassed their respective half-centuries before Labuschagne was caught behind fo 73.

Matthew Wade once again enjoyed a brief spell out in the middle when he was sent packing for only four. Ravi Ashwin, though, then again accounted for the big wicket of Smith, who was trapped in front for 81.

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Cameron Green and captain Tim Paine went on the attack and began piling on the runs with Green in particular scoring freely.

Four big sixes and eight further boundaries got him to 84 when he was nicked off by Jasprit Bumrah, Paine calling for the declaration in the process with Australia finishing on 312-6.

The Indian openers made a pretty decent start to the daunting run chase, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill bringing up a 50-run partnership in no time for the first wicket.

Gill, though, departed for 31 when he was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood after being caught behind by Paine.

Sharma kicked on and brought up an important half-century of his own but a loose shot towards the end of the day saw him caught on the boundary for 52.

Cheteshwar Pujara (9) and Ajinkya Rahane (4) will resume India’s score on 98-2 on Monday, trailing Australia by 309 runs.