Despite a strong start, Australia’s batting order collapsed yet again in Sydney on Saturday.

Chasing India’s mammoth first innings score of 622/7, the hosts are on the ropes after falling victim to the visitors’ spin attack in the fourth and final Test of the series they trail 2-1.

Rain came to their rescue though as play was abandoned late in the day with the Aussies posting 236/6, still 386 runs behind with Peter Handscomb (28) and Pat Cummins (25) at the crease.

Australia were in a good state at lunch with the scoreboard reading 122/1 but they lost three wickets for 24 runs right after the break, with spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav doing the damage.

Yadav ended with 3/71 and Jadeja 2/62.

Opener Marcus Harris scored a career-best 79 but senior players Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and skipper Tim Paine all failed to deliver when needed most.