CALCUTTA - Vangipurappu Laxman hit a determined unbeaten 109 to put into doubt what had seemed an inevitable Australian victory in the second Test against India at Eden Gardens.
The wristy 26-year-old shared a fourth-wicket stand of 117 with his captain, Sourav Ganguly, to lift his side to 254 for4 at the end of the third day.
The hosts trail by 20 runs with six wickets in hand and still need a miraculous performance over the next two days to prevent Australia from taking a unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Steve Waugh's side, looking to secure Australia's first series victory on Indian soil in 31 years, won the first Test in Bombay by 10 wickets with two days to spare.
Laxman's resistance, however, lifted the spirits of a side which had conceded a 274-run first-innings lead in the morning. He clearly intends to try to set Australia a difficult target.
"The first hour's play on Wednesday will be crucial. Australia are going to take the new ball, but if Rahul [Dravid] and I can hold on and put together 200 to 225 runs, we could put them under pressure," said Laxman.
