Warne had little to cheer in the second innings

The two batsmen were unfazed by the introduction of the second new ball and scored 51 runs in the first hour of play.

Dravid, bowled by Warne in the first innings, hit back with three consecutive boundaries off the leg-spinner as he found form for the first time in the series.

Laxman reached 150 off 233 balls with 27 boundaries, with Dravid's half century also arriving before lunch, which India reached on 376 for four.

The Australian attack continued to flounder on a flat pitch following the interval and Laxman overtook his previous Test best of 167 with an off-driven four off Shane Warne.

The leg-spinner was unable to slow the scoring rate and finished with figures of one for 152 from 34 overs.

Laxman clocked off the next milestone when he passed 200 off 304 balls, with his boundary count having reached 35.

Dravid was equally fluent and his ninth century in 42 Test appearances was duly reached with a four off Jason Gillespie.

India lead by 315 with a day to play, but Australia will be confident of avoiding defeat against an attack minus its two senior bowlers, Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath.