Mohali, Mar 18 (IANS): Indian spinners tightened the noose around Australia leaving them struggling to save the third Test on the final day at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium here Monday.

Resuming at 75 for three, Australia reached 170 for eight in the second innings and have a lead of 79 runs. Australia made 408 in the first innings and then bowled out India for 499.

Brad Haddin was batting on 23 and Mitchell Starc nine and the duo had added 27 runs for the unfinished ninth-wicket stand at the lunch break.

India's left arm spinners Pragyan Ojha and Ravindra Jadeja wrecked havoc by picking two wickets each. Offie Ravichandran Ashwin bagged the wicket of Phil Jacques, who came back to form with 69.

Ojha and Jadeja struck in tandem as Australia lost five wickets for 54 runs. Ojha was the first to strike to get rid of nightwatchman Nathan Lyon (18), caught behind by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Jadeja dismissed skipper Michael Clarke (18) again for the fifth time in the series. Clarke tried to flick but got an inside edge onto his pad and Cheteshwar Pujara took an easy catch at short-leg.

Jadeja also got rid of Moises Henriques (2) with an excellent diving catch off his own bowling and Ojha castled Peter Siddle (13) to leave Australia struggling at 143 for eight.