Michael Hussey slammed a crafty 146 as Australia piled up a commanding first innings total to push India on the backfoot but the hosts fought back with a flourishing start to keep themselves afloat in the first cricket Test in Bangalore on Friday.

The 33-year-old Hussey gave ample display of his class by notching up his ninth Test century and steer the visitors to a comfortable first innings total of 430 on the second day.

The Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir provided a confident start to the second innings rattling up 68 for no loss in 18.1 overs before a sharp shower forced play to be called off a little early.

Sehwag was on 43 and Gambhir was giving him company on 20 at stumps on day two which saw the Australians consolidating their position in the match.

It was Hussey who stole the limelight on the second day with a fine exhibition of stroke-play and temperament as he guided his team to a position from where it could dictate terms in the remaining three days.

Paceman Zaheer Khan was the pick of the Indian bowlers with 5 for 91 while fellow paceman Ishant Sharma scalped 4 for 77 as the fast bowlers accounted for nine wickets in the innings. Harbhajan Singh had to be content with one wicket while captain Anil Kumble returned with dismal figures of 43-6-129-0.

Brad Haddin (33) and Bret Lee (27) came up with useful contributions in the lower order to torment the Indians on a Chinnaswamy track which is showing signs of a gradual deterioration.

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