Alex Carey propped up second innings total to 270 for eight before declaring midway into the afternoon session as Australia set India a mammoth 444-run target on a tricky pitch. India, on the other hand, kept things tight in the morning but Carey (66 not off 105) and Mitchell Starc (51 off 47) showed aggressive intent to share a 93-run stand off 120 balls for the seventh wicket.

They collected 69 valuable runs off 87 balls before Pat Cummins declared the innings after his own dismissal. The time of the declaration was questionable considering the 263 is the highest fourth innings chase at The Oval and 418 in overall Test history.