With two wickets in the first two Tests, Peter Siddle felt he was letting the side down as Australia’s pace spearhead.

The 40-Test veteran put his focus simply on bowling tightly and building pressure on Sunday, charging in for 29.1 overs on a flat Mohali pitch to claim 5-71 in India’s first-innings tally of 499 which gave the home side a lead of 91.

Australia reached 3-75 at stumps, still trailing by 16 runs. Australia face a near-impossible task to win the match with one day of play remaining to keep their hopes alive of drawing the four-match series and retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

“It was nice to be able to contribute,” said Siddle, 28.

“Before the Test, I was disappointed with my performances.

“What I was lacking was building pressure and setting up good partnerships for the team.

“I think I went a bit better in this match with that side of things.

“There was still a loose ball and too many boundaries that I am picky with myself on.

“But it is nice to come away with the rewards.

“We did bowl a lot better as a unit today which was pleasing.”

Siddle and Mitchell Starc claimed two wickets each in the first six overs with the second new ball when India had been threatening to smash 600-plus.

However, spinners Xavier Doherty and Nathan Lyon took one wicket between them.

Left-armer Doherty has claimed three wickets at an average of 72.66 in the series and offspinner Lyon has five scalps at 73.60.

Doherty missed the first Test and Lyon was overlooked for the second Test.

Challenged by a reporter that Australia’s spinners lacked penetration, Siddle paid credit to India.

“You could say that. But then you could say the Indian batters have batted very well against our spinners,” Siddle said.

India’s Murali Vijay, who hit 153 and shared a 289-run opening stand with Shikhar Dhawan (187), was asked if Australia’s spinners were pulling their weight.

“No I can’t comment on that,” Vijay said.

“But I think we are batting brilliantly. We are countering them better than whatever is expected.”