Gambhir 149 n/o

Opening batsman Gautam Gambhir struck a career-best unbeaten 149 to propel India to 296-3 on an ill-tempered first day of the third Test against Australia here on Wednesday.

Gambhir put on 130 runs with Sachin Tendulkar (68) and also shared 139 runs with Venkatsai Laxman (54 not out) for the unbroken fourth wicket after the hosts were reeling at 27-2 in the morning session.

The opener, who bettered his previous-best knock of 139 against Bangladesh, was involved in verbal sparring with the tourists, who must avoid defeat here if they are to keep alive their chances of retaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

They trail 1-0 in the four-Test series after losing the previous match in Mohali by 320 runs. The opener in Bangalore ended in a draw.

Tensions between the two teams came to the boil when Gambhir apparently elbowed Shane Watson while taking a second run after the all-rounder seemed to mutter something to the batsman.

Watson unleashed a nasty bouncer in his next over but Gambhir responded by lofting him for a six over long-on to bring up his third Test century and second on the trot after his second-innings 104 in Mohali. The left-hander also became involved in a spat with part-time bowler Simon Katich and umpire Billy Bowden had to intervene.

NEW DELHI, AFP

INDIA 1ST INNINGS

G. Gambhir not out			149
V. Sehwag lbw b Lee			  1
R. Dravid c Hayden b Johnson		 11
S. Tendulkar c Haddin b Johnson		 68
V. Laxman not out			 54

Extras: (b4, lb5, nb4)			 13
Total (for three wickets)		296

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-27, 3-157.
Bowling: Lee 19-1-70-1, Clark 21-8-29-0 (nb1), Johnson 17-1-69-2,
	 Watson 13-4-41-0 (nb3), White 4-0-27-0, Clarke 9-0-34-0, Katich 6-1-17-0.