Baggy Greens increase lead

A century from Matthew Hayden formed the backbone of their second innings, although several rain interruptions frustrated the hosts' attempts to gain a stranglehold on the match.

Australia eventually closed the day on 282 for four with three sessions left to try and overcome the Indians and take a 2-0 lead in the four-Test series.

Having resumed on 13 without loss, still 56 runs short of the tourists' first innings total of 532, Anil Kumble claimed his 100th wicket against Australia when his delivery was hit square by Phil Jaques (42) straight to Yuvraj Singh. And captain Ricky Ponting (one) soon followed when he was caught out by VVS Laxman from a Harbhajan Singh delivery

Hayden and Michael Hussey then steered the home side to 90 for two at lunch, and the pair continued to get the better of India's bowlers throughout the afternoon session.

Hayden completed his 28th Test half-century while Hussey was also closing in on his 50 when another rain shower forced an early tea with Australia sitting on 177 for two.

When play resumed, the pair piled further anguish on their opponents with Hussey quickly adding the seven runs he needed to post his ninth Test fifty.

Hayden was even more impressive at the other end, racing to his 29th hundred from 160 balls, including 11 fours.

They had put on a third-wicket stand of 160 when Kumble finally made the breakthrough as Hayden hit his delivery to Wasim Jaffer at backward point with his score on 123. Three wickets became four one ball later with Michael Clarke edging Kumble to Rahul Dravid without troubling the scorecard.

That took Kumble's figures to three for 110, but Hussey batted through to the close and had reached an unbeaten 87 while Andrew Symonds stood on 14 as Australia chase a record-equalling 16th successive win in Test cricket.