Vijay (not Rahul) and Kohli couldn't arrest the slide as Australia strengthened their already dominant position in the last session. By the close India had sunk to 112-5 and the match is all but over.
Nathan Lyon the very obvious danger was unsurprisingly the bowler who took the big wickets of Kohli and Vijay with Hazlewood chipping in by capturing that of Rahane to add to his earlier victim Pujara, Rahul was bowled Starc, an early breakthrough.
The purists all say pick your best bowlers and disregard their batting ability, but this can be taken too far. For India this match just continues to show valuable lessons not taken on board from their 1-4 reverse in England. Late order runs CAN win matches and bowlers who can bat can prove match winners. One of Ashwin or Jadeja has to replace a seamer regardless of the wicket.
Australia still have five wickets to take and should win some time tomorrow.
The odds once again have proved a far better guide throughout than the sometimes misleading 'WinViz' gizmo..
Australia available at around 1/28, India 14/1
There have been some unsavoury clashes between Kohli and Paine escalating rather than just continuing their contretemps from yesterday
The following is taken from cricinfo's version of events....
The fourth day witnessed heated conversations between the two captains, Tim Paine and Virat Kohli, in Perth as Australia were strengthening their grip on the match. During the wicketless first session, the captains even came into physical contact when Paine ran down the pitch for a single in the 71st over of the innings. As Paine nudged the first ball of the over towards midwicket for a run, Kohli ran towards the pitch in anticipation of collecting the ball and collided with Paine before the batsman could reach the non-striker's end. Even as Kohli collected the ball and made his way towards mid-on for the next delivery, Paine followed him for a couple of steps for a few words before umpire Chris Gaffaney interrupted to remind them they were the captains.
Kohli to Paine: "I'm not saying a word to you, why are you getting riled up?"
Paine to Kohli: "I'm fine. You're the one that lost it yesterday, why are you trying to be cool today?"
Chris Gaffaney: "Oi, that's enough, that's enough."
Paine: "We're allowed to talk."
Gaffaney: "Nah, nah, come on, play the game. You guys are the captains."
Paine: "We can have a conversation... there's no swearing, no..."
Gaffaney: "Tim you're the captain."
Paine: "Keep your cool, Virat!"
When Paine was walking off after being dismissed for 37 eight overs later, Kohli said a few more words that made the Australia captain turn around for a reply.
Kohli and Paine had earlier been recorded exchanging words after a caught-behind appeal against Australia's captain was turned down on the third evening. Walking past Paine, Kohli had remarked to his team-mates "If he messes it up, it's 2-0", moving Paine to retort "You've got to bat first, big head".
There may well be some disciplinary action taken against Kohli and Paine following this match
I know these tests where 300 is a good first innings score aren't for everybody, but I quite like them. I don't want to see 3 wickets falling in a day with 350 scored. This track was never easy and has become harder as the test has gone on, but we've seen with application you can make runs on it and equally you can get a ball with your name on - that's what test cricket should be imo.
For the series, it's good that Australia will almost certainly equal it as they head to the boxing day test at the MCG. There also seems to be a bit of needle in it, with Tim Paine being caught on microphone calling Kohli a big head.
I do think India need to add another recognised batsman though, their 4 man tail is too long when they're this poor against the new ball. It's a bit England-esque the way they're 2 down for about 10 every time, but unlike us, who bat down to 9, they bat down to 7 - so it's just not going to work if they keep it up.
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Sticking down under, I see New Zealand piled them on against Sri Lanka, who already look to be staring down the barrel at 20-3 still 276 behind.
Special mention for Tom Latham, who carried his bat making 2018's highest individual score of 264*. Very well played.
