Cricket: VVS Laxman hit his fifth Test century against Australia to help India reach 216 for three at the end of day two of the second Test.
Laxman, who recorded his third century at the Sydney Cricket Ground off 127 balls, batted fluently for 109 before he was caught by Mike Hussey off the bowling of spinner Brad Hogg.
Rahul Dravid also made a battling half-century to leave India 247 runs behind the hosts who earlier reached a total of 463 thanks largely to a spirited 162 not out from Andrew Symonds.
Australia had began the morning 376 for seven and Brett Lee racked up his fourth Test half-century before he fell lbw for 59.
Mitchell Johnson hit 28 runs off 30 balls before he was caught on the leg-side boundary while Stuart Clark was trapped lbw for a duck by Anil Kumble to end the hosts' innings.
Symonds, who finished the opening day on 137, added a further 25 runs to better his previous highest Test score of 156 - made against England in the 2007 Ashes series - and left the SCG to a standing ovation.
Wasim Jaffer and Dravid took to the crease as India began their innings shortly before lunch, and the former was dismissed in the sixth over when he was bowled by Lee for three.
Laxman joined Dravid in the middle and the two produced an impressive stand for the remainder of the session, with the number three hitting 14 fours to reach an unbeaten 73 to take India to 101 for one at tea.
Laxman reached three figures in the 48th over with a wristy pull through midwicket off the bowling Hogg - his 17th four of the innings.
While Laxman played effortlessly, Dravid's innings was much more watchful and he reached his half-century off 158 balls shortly afterwards.
But Dravid's stay at the crease lasted just two more balls as he was dismissed for 53 after wafting at a short ball from Johnson, finding the hands of Matthew Hayden at first slip.
Laxman's innings was over moments later when Hogg tossed up a delivery outside off stump which he chipped into the air and Hussey took a comfortable catch at short cover.
New batsmen Sachin Tendulkar (nine not out) and Sourav Ganguly (21no) came to crease with India 185 for three but saw out the remaining overs to take the tourists to the close without further loss.