No side has ever made 450+ in the fourth innings to win a Test. So, if India manages to win the Melbourne Test, it will be a new world record. The fact that India has two days to chase down the target can turn out to be the most crucial factor.
India can also take heart from the fact that the highest successful fourth innings chase in Test cricket has also come against Australia.
Highest fourth innings successful chases in Test cricket
| Target | For | Opposition | Venue | Season | Victory Margin |
| 418 | West Indies [Images] | Australia | St John's | 2002-03 | 3 wkts |
| 404 | Australia | England [Images] | Leeds | 1948 | 7 wkts |
| 403 | India | West Indies | Port of Spain | 1975-76 | 6 wkts |
| 369 | Australia | Pakistan | Hobart | 1999-00 | 4 wkts |
| 359 | Australia | West Indies | Georgetown | 1977-78 | 3 wkts |
| 352 | Sri Lanka [Images] | South Africa | Colombo (PSS) | 2006 | 1 wkt |
Highest fourth innings successful chases by India
| Target | Opposition | Venue | Season | Victory Margin |
| 403 | West Indies | Port-of-Spain | 1975-76 | 6 wkts |
| 264 | Sri Lanka | Kandy | 2001 | 7 wkts |
| 254 | Australia | Mumbai BS | 1964-65 | 2 wkts |
| 230 | Australia | Adelaide | 2003-04 | 4 wkts |
| 203 | Pakistan | Delhi | 2007-08 | 6 wkts |
| 200 | New Zealand [Images] | Dunedin | 1967-68 | 5 wkts |
Highest successful fourth innings chases at Melbourne
| Target | For | Vs | Season | Victory Margin |
| 332 | England | Australia | 1928-29 | 3 wkts |
| 297 | England | Australia | 1894-95 | 6 wkts |
| 295 | South Africa | Australia | 1952-53 | 6 wkts |
| 286 | Australia | England | 1928-29 | 5 wkts |
| 282 | England | Australia | 1907-08 | 1 wkt |
Just for the reference, the following table lists the all-time largest fourth innings chases in Test cricket:
Highest fourth innings chases in Test history
| Total | For | Opponent | Venue | Season | Result |
| 654-5 | England | v South Africa | Durban | 1938-39 | Drawn |
| 451 | New Zealand | v England | Christchurch | 2001-02 | Lost by 98 runs |
| 445 | India | v Australia | Adelaide | 1977-78 | Lost by 47 runs |
| 440 | New Zealand | v England | Nottingham | 1973 | Lost by 38 runs |
| 429-8 | India | v England | The Oval | 1979 | Drawn |
...and finally India's performance while chasing a large fourth innings target:
| Target | Opposition | Venue | Season | Result |
| 607 | Pakistan | Karachi | 2005-06 | Lost by 341 runs |
| 568 | England | Lord's | 2002 | Lost by 170 runs |
| 548 | England | Manchester | 1959 | Lost by 171 runs |
| 543 | Australia | Nagpur | 2004-05 | Lost by 342 runs |
| 499 | Australia | Melbourne | 2007-08 | To be seen |
Complete coverage: India's tour of Australia 2007
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