Lokesh Rahul and Virat Kohli hit a century apiece to help India move within 230 runs of Australia at the close of play on day three of the final Test in Sydney.

The tourists started the session on 234-2, producing a determined display to end on 342-5 and keep themselves in the reckoning for victory.

Having seen Rahul (110) record his maiden Test century earlier in the day, Kohli (140*) joined his teammate by passing the hundred mark, becoming the first player ever to make three Test centuries in his first three innings as captain.

Rahul was eventually sent packing in the last session of the day after adding just four runs to his tally, with Mitchell Starc taking the catch.

India began to wobble as Ajinkya Rahane was adjudged lbw for 13 off Shane Watson, while Suresh Raina failed to get off the mark.

However, Wriddhiman Saha (14*) took to the crease alongside Kohli to help see out the session and reduce the deficit even further ahead of fourth day of play which gets underway tonight.