Saurav Ganguly made a century and Mahendra Dhoni just missed out on one to lead India to 469 all out on day two of the second test against Australia on Saturday.
Ganguly, playing in his farewell series, made a patient 102 and Dhoni hammered 92 before the Australian bowlers wrapped up the tail half an hour before tea.
Australia were then dealt a major blow when Zaheer Khan bowled opener Matthew Hayden for a third-ball duck before the visitors reached 13 for one at tea. Simon Katich (8) and skipper Ricky Ponting (5) were the not out batsmen.
The dangerous Hayden was beaten by a delivery which nipped back, falling cheaply to Zaheer for the third consecutive time in the series.
Stand-in skipper Dhoni lashed four sixes and eight fours before he was last man out, trapped leg before by paceman Peter Siddle to provide the debutant with his third wicket.
Ganguly tucked leg spinner Cameron White to square leg for four to reach three figures for the 16th time in tests, the former skipper pumping his fists in celebration.
He added 109 runs for the seventh wicket with Dhoni as the pair frustrated Australia in the morning on a good batting pitch to reach 401 for six at lunch.
Ganguly lasted only six more deliveries after reaching his century, spooning White to Brett Lee at long off to end his 225-ball knock.
Dhoni, leading the side in place of the injured Anil Kumble, plundered quick runs until he fell within sight of his second Test hundred.
Australia claimed the last four wickets for 34 runs as White also bowled Harbhajan Singh (1) and Lee ran out Zaheer Khan as Dhoni tried to pinch a quick single.
Australia left-arm seamer Mitchell Johnson took three for 85 and Siddle, replacing the injured Stuart Clark, three for 114.
The world’s number one Test team struggled in the morning, especially with spearhead Lee looking off colour, returning one for 86 from 24 overs.
He also cut the webbing between his ring and small fingers on his bowling hand while fielding and required two stitches. – Reuters