McGrath ended Das' hopes of a century

Tendulkar announced his arrival with a four through extra cover off Gillespie, and added two more boundaries in his next over.

India moved on to 237 before McGrath had Laxman caught at second slip by Mark Waugh for 67, made from 81 balls.

McGrath had impressive figures of two for five from six overs during the morning and returned after lunch to remove Indian captain Sourav Ganguly.

The left-hander made 22 in almost two hours at the crease before edging to wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist.

Dravid was soon into his stride, however, following his innings of 180 in the second Test at Calcutta.

And Tendulkar played some typically meaty shots, including a six off Colin Miller, as he raised hopes of a sixth Test hundred against Australia, and his first of the series.

Spinners Shane Warne and Colin Miller were unable to keep the pair in check as they maintained a scoring rate of more than four an over.

India's onslaught brought Miller to his knees

Tendulkar survived a head high chance to Michael Slater at mid-wicket when he was on 82 and reached his hundred in the grand manner by hoisting Miller over long-on for the second six of his innings.

Dravid also had an escape when Gilchrist failed to hold a leg-side chance off Gillespie, but made no mistake in the bowler's next over as Dravid was caught behind for 81.

Tendulkar followed in similar fashion with the score on 468 after hitting two sixes and 15 fours during his five hours and 46 minutes at the crease.

Warne then had wicket-keeper Sameer Dighe lbw for four and Miller broke his duck by dismissing Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh.

It gave their figures a slightly more positive look, with Warne taking two for 140 from 42 overs and Miller two for 151.