Adelaide: Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane ensured that India set Australia a target in excess of 300 in the opening Test at Adelaide Oval. Then, Ravichandran Ashwin and the rest of the bowlers took over.

It was a super Sunday for Virat Kohli and his men as they came within six wickets of registering a historic Test win Down Under.

With rough patches on the pitch, Ashwin was expected to play a big part in Australia's second innings. And, he did not disappoint.

Also read: India vs Australia series schedule

He kept up the pressure on the hosts' batsmen and bagged two wickets, Aaron Finch (11) and Usman Khawaja (8).

It was Ashwin who provided India the opening breakthrough as he sent back Finch, caught by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. Then, he added the big scalp of Khawaja.

The left-handed batsman, who was key to Australia's 323-run chase, perished going for a big shot. It was a result of constant pressure from Ashwin that he tried to play a reckless shot.

Ashwin was India's bowling star in the first innings when he took three wickets and helped the team take a slender 15-run lead.

With needing India six wickets on the fifth and final day on Monday, all eyes will again be on Ashwin.

A historic day beckons for India. If they win, it will be the first time ever that they would have won the opening Test of a series in Australia.