Shane Warne is on the verge of becoming the greatest wicket-taker in history as Australia surges towards victory in a first Test at Chinnaswami Stadium marred by a number of controversial umpiring decisions.

Australia needs only four wickets for victory on the final day with India resuming on 6-105, still 351 runs in arrears without a drop of rain in sight and Warne operating at his tantalising best.

Starting the day just three wickets shy of Sri Lankan offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan's world record of 532 wickets, Warne made an ideal beginning when his first ball of India's second innings trapped dangerman VVS Laxman LBW for three.

One down, three to go to make the record his.

He got a ball to turn wildly out of the rough from well outside off stump to have left-handed Parthiv Patel LBW for four.

There were four Indian wickets up for grabs and an hour to go.

A huge appeal for a bat-pad catch off Irfan Pathan was rejected, making Warne shake his head in disbelief and dawdle back to his mark.

Patel left another fierce leg break that missed the top of middle stump by millimetres.

Rahul 'The Wall' Dravid started hogging the strike to protect the Indian tail, refusing the easiest singles, only to get an edge that flew between wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden at first slip.

Warne had his hands on his hips.

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