By Oliver Brett

Gambhir launching Watson for the six that brought him his century

Gautam Gambhir continued his superb form as India made a fine start in the third Test against Australia in Delhi.

Following scores of 67 and 104 in the Mohali victory, he hit 149 not out as India racked up 296-3 on day one.

Australia lost the toss but responded well when asked to field first, leaving India on a rocky 27-2 at one stage.

Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar (68) added 130 for the third wicket, however, and VVS Laxman helped Gambhir pile on the runs after tea as the Aussies toiled.

Although boundary opportunities were limited late in the day because of defensive field-settings, Laxman accumulated an unbeaten 54 with ease as he and Gambhir added an unbroken 139.

His innings was not without controversy after he apparently elbowed Shane Watson when the all-rounder appeared to say something to the batsman, but Gambhir denied it was intentional.

"It was not deliberate," he said

"It was accidental. They were desperate to get me out and wanted to break my concentration. It was one of those incidents that keep happening in international cricket."

Gambhir also clashed with Australia's Simon Katich and the pair argued regularly, with umpire Billy Bowden having to separate them at one stage.

Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke said he spoke to both Watson and Katich after each incident and believes there will be repercussions from Gambhir's actions.

606: DEBATE Sachin's knock was damn cool and his 11 fours covered all parts of the ground. Great to see him play that way prettyjustacomment

"Like the incident with Kato, it's important we all get on with the game. As vice-captain, I grabbed Watto and just said 'continue to bowl well'."

It was almost a perfect day for India captain Anil Kumble, restored to the side following the shoulder injury that kept him out of the team in Mohali. He came in for fellow spinner Harbhajan Singh who had picked up a toe injury after bowling so well in the second Test.

Australia resisted the temptation to hand a debut to off-spinner Jason Krejza but also made a single change - Stuart Clark, fit again, coming in for Peter Siddle.

But it was two other fast bowlers, Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson, who had Australia celebrating twice within the first hour.

First Virender Sehwag remained rooted to the crease as he attempted to defend a quicker ball from Lee and was pinned lbw.

Then Rahul Dravid chased a wide ball from Johnson which he edged low to the right of Matthew Hayden at first slip. Typically, the big Queenslander made the chance look easy.

Tendulkar's innings began with a series of outstanding drives off Johnson to balls just back of a good length. He was in superb form and his confidence clearly rubbed off on Gambhir, who pulled Shane Watson for four over midwicket's head.

It was a tough day for the Aussies, who did their best to remain positive

After 40 overs, almost reluctantly one sensed, Ricky Ponting finally turned to the spin of Cameron White. His reservations seemed justified as Gambhir marched down the track to drive him in his first over (which cost 11) before Tendulkar took two boundaries off his third.

India were motoring, so it was a surprise when Tendulkar - whose bat had been beaten on just one occasion - nibbled Johnson to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

That left the score 158-3 at tea, and Australia were just about back in the contest.

But Gambhir and VVS Laxman made the final session their own - Gambhir cashing in with a number of drives off the pacemen which bisected the fielders at mid-on and midwicket before scuttling down to the boundary boards.

Gambhir went from 91 to 99 with a cut and then a leg-glance off Johnson before stepping down the track to launch Watson 20 yards over the ropes at long-on.

It was a stunningly bold way for the 27-year-old reach his third Test century, the first on his home ground, and the crowd celebrating the Hindu New Year lapped it all up.

Australia's bowlers were spent with most of the final session still to go.

One unlikely beacon of hope was provided by Simon Katich, whose left-arm chinaman spin produced an edge from Gambhir and a misread from Laxman.

But those two incidents, plus Gambhir almost running himself out, were as good as it got for Australia.

Before the second new ball was taken, play was briefly delayed following an ugly exchange between Katich and Gambhir. But whoever won that argument, there was only one team dominating affairs on the pitch.

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