Australia is set to square the Test series against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Australia needs to make just 95 runs to win the match and level the series at 1-1.

The fourth day finished with India bowled out for 286 - a lead of 94 after trailing on the first innings by 192.

Only two teams in the history of Test cricket have failed to win when chasing less than 100.

England lost to Australia by seven runs when needing 85 in 1882 while Zimbabwe lost by 35 runs after being bowled out by the West Indies for 63 in Port-of-Spain four years ago.

Australia, with so much at stake in Steve Waugh's farewell series, will make sure it gets over the line in order to set up a potential fairytale finish for the captain in his final Test in Sydney starting on January 2.

Indian vice-captain Rahul Dravid said the MCG pitch was becoming difficult to bat on but didn't hold out much hope of victory.

"It did keep a little low there was some uneven bounce - it wasn't the easiest wicket to bat on," Dravid said.

"The ball wasn't coming on to the bat and it did take a bit of spin. It would be nice to have 100 runs more ... but there's always hope and maybe with a bit of magic you never know."

Brad Williams was Australia's best bowler, claiming the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar for 44 and cleaning up the tailenders as he took career-best figures of 4-53.

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