Gambhir scores hundred, guides India to 296-3
Gautam Gambhir scored his second hundred in consecutive matches with an unbeaten 149 on Wednesday to ensure India dominated day one of the third cricket Test against Australia.
Left-hander Gambhir, who scored 67 and 104 in an emphatic 320-run victory in Mohali last week, continued India's domination by steering the hosts to a commanding 296 for 3 wickets at stumps.
The polished opener received strong support through half-centuries to Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman.
India can clinch the four-match contest with a win here and Gambhir provided the ideal platform after he and Tendulkar lifted the side from 27-2 with a 130-run partnership for the third wicket.
Once Tendulkar departed for 68 Gambhir added another 139 with Laxman, who eased to 54, and India finished the day on a high.
Gambhir's century came up in sensational style when he charged down the wicket to Shane Watson and thumped him over mid-on for six.
Gambhir took his time initially, reaching his 50 from 121 deliveries, but he lifted his pace on the way to three figures and his career-best innings lasted 285 balls. He struck some superb shots through midwicket and cover and also impressed with his cutting and glancing, which contributed to his 20 fours.
Tendulkar, who holds the Test run-scoring record with 12,105, was out in the over before tea after scoring his 51st half-century.
The third-wicket partnership with Gambhir saved the hosts from a dangerous position and sapped Australia's early momentum on a flat surface at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. Tendulkar, who struck 11 boundaries, overtook Gambhir and was first to his 50, the milestone coming from 79 balls with a glide for four through gully off Stuart Clark.
Mitchell Johnson was the successful bowler in the middle session when he had Tendulkar caught behind by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.
Australias attack looked increasingly fragile as the bowlers struggled for regular impact after a strong start Lee dismissed Virender Sehwag for 1 with a ball angling into his pads in the third over, a welcome dismissal for the Australian pace spearhead who struggled for impact in the opening two matches.
But there was no more success and at stumps he had 1-70 from 19 overs. Johnson, who finished with 2-61, replaced Lee for the 11th over and struck with his fourth ball when Rahul Dravid drove at a wide delivery angled across him and was caught low to the ground by Matthew Hayden at first slip.Clark (0-29) did not gain a wicket on his return to the side from an elbow problem, but brought Australia some much-needed control as he gave up barely more than a run an over.
Earlier, India skipper Anil Kumble won the toss and elected to bat. He returned to the lineup after recovering from an injured right shoulder that prevented him from playing in Mohali. Offspinner Harbhajan Singh succumbed to a toe injury that allowed legspinner Amit Mishra to hold his spot.