<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>Shubman Gill struck a half-century after losing overnight partner Rohit Sharma early on day three to bring India to 129-1 at lunch in the fourth Test against Australia on Saturday.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>The hosts still trail Australia's 480 by 351 runs with Gill, on 65, and Cheteshwar Pujara, on 22, batting in front of a noisy weekend crowd at the world's biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.</div><div><br></div><div>Australia's Mitchell Starc bowled to plan with his short balls and a heavy leg-side field, but Rohit took on the challenge as he smashed the left-arm quick for a four and a six at long leg.</div><div><br></div><div>The openers started the day on 36-0 and kept attacking on a pitch that still looks good for batting.</div><div><br></div><div>But Rohit fell to Matthew Kuhnemann's left-arm spin as the skipper got caught at cover for 35 against the run of play.</div><div><br></div><div>Kuhnemann reaped the rewards from Nathan Lyon's wily off-spin from the other end as the senior bowler varied his length and angle to keep the batsmen on their toes.</div><div><br></div><div>With Pujara playing the anchor role, Gill kept the runs flowing and reached his fifth Test half-century with a four.</div><div><br></div><div>Australia, led by Steve Smith in the absence of Pat Cummins, rotated their bowlers and Starc came back for a second spell in the morning session.</div><div><br></div><div>The pitch has been vastly different from the viciously spinning tracks in the previous three Tests and Usman Khawaja made Australia take early advantage with his 180.</div><div><br></div><div>The left-handed Khawaja and Cameron Green, who struck his maiden international century with 114, put on 208 runs for the fifth wicket before Australia's innings ended late on day two.</div><div><br></div><div>India lead the four-match series 2-1 after Australia won the third Test. The hosts need a win to clinch the series and secure a berth in the World Test Championship final in June. - AFP&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>