Sydney, Jan 05, (V7N) - Australia is within 91 runs of winning the thrilling fifth Test and claiming the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2014-15, after India set them a challenging target of 162. However, Australia lost three crucial wickets, reaching 71-3 at lunch on Day 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
 
Usman Khawaja is at the crease with 19, while Travis Head is not out on five. Sam Konstas (22), Marnus Labuschagne (six), and Steve Smith (four) all fell to the Indian attack, which was missing the injured Jasprit Bumrah.
 
Smith narrowly missed the landmark of 10,000 Test runs, being dismissed for 9,999. India was bowled out for 157 in the morning session, with Scott Boland taking 6-45 and Pat Cummins 3-44. Australia needs to win or draw to regain the trophy and qualify for the World Test Championship final against South Africa in June.
 
Bumrah, dealing with a back issue, played only a brief role before leaving the field, leaving India to rely on Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna to lead the bowling attack.
 
Despite a deteriorating pitch, Konstas and Khawaja started aggressively, but Konstas fell early, caught by Washington Sundar off Prasidh. Prasidh also removed Labuschagne and Smith to leave Australia struggling at 71-3.
 
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