India is poised to inflict a rare home series defeat on Australia when the fourth cricket Test resumes at the SCG.

Australia will resume at 6-342 on the fourth day, still needing another 164 runs to avoid the follow-on after India made 7-705.

Simon Katich will be looking for his maiden Test century when he restarts on 51 alongside Brett Lee, who has yet to score.

The tourists' teenage pace bowler Irfan Pathan claimed two major scalps on the third day, capturing Steve Waugh caught behind and then clean-bowling Adam Gilchrist in the second-last over of the day.

Waugh made 40 but his fans are likely to get another chance to see the retiring skipper when he bats in Australia's second innings.

Australia hasn't been made to follow-on in a Test for 15 years, the last time being against Pakistan in 1988-89.

India's main hope of inflicting defeat on the home side in Waugh's last Test is legspinner Anil Kumble who took the first four Australian wickets on Sunday.

However, Kumble was noticeably limping towards the end of his long spell and his ability to keep bowling for long periods could hold the key for India.

The series is locked at 1-1 after India won by four wickets in Adelaide and Australia struck back by nine wickets in Melbourne.

Australia hasn't lost a series at home since 1992-93 when it lost to the West Indies.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP