India in command

Cheteshwar Pujara scored 204 as India's batsmen continued to torment Australia by reaching lunch on 400 for three on the third day in Hyderabad.

Pujara and Murali Vijay (167) extended their partnership for another hour and a half in the morning to post India's best ever second-wicket stand of 370 before Australia's bowlers finally found success - debutant Glenn Maxwell striking first to remove Vijay - and got two new men in just before lunch.

India were in total control, though, with a lead of 163 established by the break and looking odds on to extend their lead to 2-0 in the second match of this four-Test series.

India's batsmen were happy to play themselves in with Michael Clarke choosing to employ a defensive field.

That left plenty of room for the batsmen to take singles, one of which on the leg side took Vijay to 150 and another from Pujara saw the partnership reach record proportions at 345.

A couple of fours from Vijay off one Maxwell over took the partnership past 350, then Pujara eased two off his pads to reach 1,000 Test runs in just his 11th match.

The pair were batting with such ease it was a major surprise when Maxwell claimed his first Test wicket, Vijay caught by Ed Cowan at leg slip to end India's fourth highest partnership for any wicket.

The crowd roared to welcome Sachin Tendulkar to the crease, and he was on hand to congratulate Pujara when he advanced down the wicket to hit Maxwell for four and reach 200 for the second time in Test cricket.

Soon the Australian fielders were congratulating him too as he walked off the field having been caught in the deep by Xavier Doherty when he aimed a hook shot at a James Pattinson bouncer but could not keep it down.