Legspinner Anil Kumble took the crucial wicket of Australian captain Adam Gilchrist just before the end of day three to move India to the verge of a series-levelling victory in the second Test at Chepauk Stadium.

Australia and the hosts went toe-to-toe on Saturday as Mohammad Kaif dramatically lost his wicket after calling for a runner, Justin Langer and Harbhajan Singh exchanged words and Gilchrist catapulted himself up the order to ensure that if his side went down, it would go down swinging.

A loss for Australia is on the cards.

Kumble (3-53) bowled Gilchrist (49) around his legs, sending Australia to stumps on 4-150 for an overall lead of only nine runs.

Kaif retired hurt with cramps on 60 late in India's first innings before returning as the last batsman with Yuvraj Singh acting as his runner. He must have been close to being timed out because he took an eternity to appear. Without creating a song and dance, Gilchrist spoke with umpire Rudi Koertzen and asked him for the nature of Kaif's injury.

Kaif danced down the pitch to his first ball from Shane Warne (6-125) and hit him for four over Glenn McGrath at mid-on. Next ball, Kaif played a reverse sweep that should have resulted in an easy run.

Yuvraj and non-striker Zaheer Khan made the run but Kaif had inexplicably taken a few paces down the pitch - and collapsed. He could not get back to the crease before Gilchrist gleefully knocked the bails off.

A batsman with a runner can be run out even if the other two batsmen have safely made their ground. Indian officials later said Kaif, who made 64, was taken to hospital suffering from dehydration and placed on a drip. His condition was not serious.

With the Australians back in the dressing room, Kaif was still on the pitch trying to get up. He was helped to his feet by the ground staff, who were waiting to roll the pitch.

Eventually Kaif hobbled off as India's first innings closed on 376, a lead of 141 on the first innings.

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