UPDATE 3-Cricket-Harbhajan helps India rally with fighting fifty

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By Sanjay Rajan

BANGALORE, India, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Harbhajan Singh smashed his fifth test fifty to frustrate Australia after left-arm Mitchell Johnson had ripped through India's top-order with a four-wicket haul in the first test on Saturday.

Harbhajan (54) put on 80 with Zaheer Khan (35 not out) for the eighth wicket to help India recover from 232 for seven on the third day after Johnson's three-wicket opening burst.

At the close, India were 313 for eight in reply to Australia's first innings 430.

Skipper Anil Kumble, who had yet to score, was at the crease with Zaheer after play was extended following a rain interruption of almost half an hour.

The morning belonged to 26-year-old Johnson, whose opening burst dismissed opener Virender Sehwag (45), Sachin Tendulkar (13) and Vangipurappu Laxman (0).

The Queenslander trapped Saurav Ganguly for 47 in his second spell in the final session to thrust India into deep trouble before Harbhajan anchored a recovery.

Earlier, a dogged half-century by Rahul Dravid (51) and Ganguly's three useful partnerships averted a total collapse after paceman Brett Lee dismissed opener Gautam Gambhir (21) in the second over of the day.