Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag both scored half-centuries to help India reach 284 for three on the opening day of the fourth and final test between India and Australia today.
Tendulkar reached stumps at the Sydney Cricket Ground unbeaten on 73 while Sehwag got the innings off to a flying start with 72.
He shared a first wicket partnership of 123 with Akash Chopra (45) before Australia struck back after lunch to dismiss the pair in quick succession.
Australia also captured a third wicket when Jason Gillespie dismissed Rahul Dravid for 38 after tea but Tendulkar and Vangipurappu Laxman (29 not out) steadied the innings with an unbroken stand of 90.