Bangalore: India are on the verge of defeat as they collapsed to 24 for four in the second innings at tea on the fourth day of the first Test against Australia here today.

Chasing a target of 457 on the fourth day, Indian top order crashed keeping with what has been their custom since the start of this international season.

Vice-captain Rahul Dravid was batting on nine with Yuvraj Singh on one at the break.

Virender Sehwag was ruled leg before wicket by umpire Billy Bowden, but the television replays showed a thick inside edge. An angry Sehwag appeared to be speaking rough with Bowden, which may have caught the attention of the match referee.

Aakash Chopra survived a nick to the slip off Jason Gillespie but was to fell leg before to the same bowler in the fourth over.

A doubting Dravid then brought about the end of Ganguly as he responded too late to a call from the captain resulting in a run out.

As spectators put up pleas in sign boards for a repeat of Kolkata, Shane Warne again got the better of Laxman as his flipper had him plumb in front. It was wicket number 530 for Warne.