Gambhir, Sehwag extend India's lead to 431 (Lunch report)

Mohali (Punjab), Oct 20 (IANS) Gautam Gambhir scored his second Test century while Virender Sehwag fell 10 short of his 16th, but the duo helped India take a huge 431-run lead at lunch against Australia on the fourth day of the second Test match here Monday.

At lunch, India were 230 for two with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni batting on 26 and Sourav Ganguly on 3. India scored 469 runs in the first innings before bowling out Australia for 268.

Resuming at an overnight score of 100 for no loss, openers Gambhir (104) and Sehwag (90) scored briskly as India raced on to make 130 runs in the first session. Sehwag looked good for a century but carelessly edged Peter Siddle to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin to bring an end to the 182-run opening stand.

Gambhir was also fluent and with Dhoni, who promoted himself up the order to increase the run rate, drove the Australian bowlers at ease. After reaching his century with a four, Gambhir gifted his wicket when he tried to step down the track to a flighted delivery off Cameroon White but found Hussey at mid-off.