But Tendulkar could not last long after completing the century as he was trapped leg before by Mitchell Johnson with the second new ball at the fag end of the day.

The Indians, leading the four-match series 1-0 and needing only a draw to wrest the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scored at a brisk pace right through the day and would now look to consolidate their position when play resumes on Friday.

Virender Sehwag, who struck nine fours and a six in making a quick-fire 66 off 69 balls, and debutant Murali Vijay (33), included in the team in place of banned Gambhir, put on 98 runs for the first wicket on a bone-dry wicket before the visitors struck three telling blows to bounce back in style.

Debutant off-spinner Jason Krejza struck twice by removing out-of-form Rahul Dravid for a duck, and then cut short dangerous-looking Sehwag's innings by turning the ball sharply after Shane Watson drew first blood by getting Vijay caught behind fending at a short, rising ball. Struggling Dravid was caught off his glove at short leg off a sharply spinning Krejza delivery.

The hosts, looking to adjourn for lunch without losing a wicket, suddenly plunged to 99 for two in the space of six balls and were in deeper trouble when Krejza made a ball turn sharply into Sehwag who leaned back to cut it but only managed to chop it on to the stumps.

India lost three wickets for 18 runs in less than five overs to hand Australia the upper hand at lunch. However, the first hour of play belonged to India as the two openers raced to 70 without loss in 13 overs.

... contd.