Gambhir and Laxman run riot

VVS Laxman celebrates reaching 200 shortly before India declared on day two

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VVS Laxman followed Gautam Gambhir’s lead by hitting a double century as India batted their way into a dominant position against Australia in the third Test in Delhi.

Gambhir converted his overnight 149 into a magnificent 206, while Laxman, who resumed on 54, was unbeaten on 200 – his second double hundred against Australia – when the hosts finally declared on 613 for seven in the final session on day two.

They added 278 for the third wicket before Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Anil Kumble and Zaheer Khan threw the bat to good effect late on, hitting 27, 45 and 28 not out respectively before Australia reached 50 without loss in reply.

Kumble was one of three victims for Mitchell Johnson, Australia’s most successful bowler, who nevertheless conceded 143 from 32 overs.

Australia - 1-0 down in the four-Test series - continued to chase the game as Gambhir and Laxman, whose partnership stood at 139 overnight, accelerated quickly out of the blocks when play got under way today.

The tourists’ hopes of striking with the second new ball quickly evaporated, to be replaced by desperation as Gambhir and Laxman continued to prosper.

They harvested 97 runs in the first session, Laxman picking off boundaries at will in typically wristy fashion.

He brought up his 13th Test century with a cover-driven boundary off leg-spinner Cameron White and went past the 150-run mark with a single off Simon Katich.

Gautam Gambhir pulls on the way to 206. He added 278 for the third wicket with Laxman

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Gambhir hit 26 fours and a six en route to the first double century of his career, before falling to Shane Watson after almost six and a half hours at the crease.

Watson was handed the ball for the first time after lunch and the Queenslander struck immediately, bowling Gambhir via an inside edge as the left-hander attempted to find third man.

Sourav Ganguly's stay at the crease was brief as he was dismissed by part-time spinner Simon Katich, driving to Ricky Ponting at short cover.

Dhoni presented Katich with a difficult return catch almost immediately after he came to the crease, striking with immense power. The left-arm spinner stuck out a hand but failed to grasp the chance.

Dhoni looked in ominous form, hitting Katich for four and six off successive balls before thumping Watson for consecutive boundaries.

Though Watson induced an outside edge from Dhoni and Kumble was trapped lbw after hitting seven fours, Laxman went to his double century off 301 balls before Kumble called his men in.

Australia openers Matthew Hayden and Katich may have survived the 15 overs possible before the close, but there was little doubt where the balance of power lay.

Hayden, who has managed a meagre 42 runs in the first two Tests, was on 16 not out at stumps with Katich on 29.