Harbhajan (54) put on 80 with Zaheer Khan (35 not out) for the eighth wicket to help India recover to 313 for eight on the third day in reply to Australia's first innings 430.

"Obviously, we are a little behind them at this stage of the game, but not so far that we cannot fight back. I think it's going to be two interesting days of cricket from here on," Dravid told a news conference.

"We can hopefully put some more runs on the board and narrow the gap, and Michael Clarke and Cameron White got some turn later on, hopefully, our spinners too can get the same on the morrow and then we can really look into this match from a better place."

Australian left-arm pace bowler Mitchell Johnson's three-wicket burst in the morning accounted for Virender Sehwag (45), Sachin Tendulkar (13) and Laxman (0).

"His first spell in the morning was really good and then he came back in the afternoon and bowled with some good pace," Dravid, who compiled a patient 51, said.

Johnson said he felt Australia's bowlers had failed to show the required patience while bowling to India's lower order.

"I think when you bowl to the tail-enders you've got to be as patient as you do to the top order," he said.