India need just two wickets to secure only their second Test win in Perth after Australia went to tea on day four of the Border-Gavaskar series opener at 8-227.

The result has been a mere formality since late on day two after the hosts were skittled for 104 and openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul built a record partnership for an Indian opening pair in this country.

Australia are showing more fight on Monday than they have since the first innings of the match, when they rolled for India for 150.

In-form Alex Carey (30 not out) remains at the crease, but Mitchell Starc (12) was out on the last ball before the break when Dhruv Jurel, who is usually a keeper, snared a tough chance at short leg off Washington Sundar's bowling.

Nathan Lyon was due to join Carey out in the middle after tea.

Australia still trail by 306 runs, well behind their previous heaviest home Test defeat against India, by 222 runs at the MCG in 1977.

Travis Head, in his first match back from parental leave, looked on track to post his eighth Test century after finding form.

The left-hander was batting fluently, becoming the first Australia in the Test to make it past 50.

But on 89, he fell when India's captain and superstar quick Jasprit Bumrah (3-42) brought himself on to break the 82-run partnership between Head and Mitch Marsh.

Marsh hit two sixes in his innings and looked promising, but the reigning Allan Border medallist chopped on to debutant allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy in front of his home crowd to be out for 47.

It will be Australia's first Test loss at Optus Stadium since it opened in 2018, while it will be India's first win in Perth since their triumph at the WACA Ground back in 2008.

Australia last won a Border-Gavaskar series in 2014-15, with India holding the trophy since 2017, which has included winning on their past two tours to this country.

The last time Australia recovered from a 1-0 deficit to win a Test series was in the 1997 Ashes in England.