Sachin Tendulkar smashed his 49th Test century as India made a strong reply to Australia's 478 in the second and final Test on Monday. The world batting record-holder was unbeaten on 106 and opener Murali Vijay was on 73 as the hosts took their overnight score of 128-2 to 224 without further loss by lunch on the third day in Bangalore. The pair put on 186 for the unbroken third wicket after the hosts had been reduced to 38-2 in Sunday's final session at the Chinnaswamy stadium. Tendulkar, who has also hit a record 46 one-day hundreds, has so far slammed 15 boundaries and two sixes in his latest offering. The Mumbai batsman, stuck in the eighties for almost 45 minutes, moved into the nineties by driving off-spinner Nathan Hauritz through the covers that also brought up India's 200. He then smashed Hauritz over long-on for six to reach 99 and repeated the shot in the bowler's next over to complete his century to loud cheers from 15,000 home fans. Vijay, playing the Test only because Gautam Gambhir was ruled out with a knee injury, was content to play second fiddle as Tendulkar took charge. The Tamil Nadu opener has hit seven fours and a six in his third Test half-century. Tendulkar, who resumed at 44, reached his 58th Test half-century in the day's first over with two pedal-sweep boundaries off Hauritz. At the other end, Vijay drove Mitchell Johnson through the covers to bring up the 100-run partnership with Tendulkar. Vijay survived an anxious moment when he was on 49 as he charged down the wicket, but a direct throw from Hauritz narrowly missed the stumps. Tendulkar was severe on Johnson, flicking him to fine-leg before pulling the next ball for another boundary. The duo scored 60 runs from 14 overs in the first hour, but an accurate spell from debutant fast bowler Peter George after the drinks break slowed down the run-rate. The lanky South Australian, who conceded 18 runs in five overs late on Sunday, gave away only 12 runs in his five overs in the morning session. Hauritz was the most expensive Australian bowler, conceding 75 runs in 16 wicketless overs. u00a0

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Sachin Tendulkar smashed his 49th Test century as India made a strong reply to Australia's 478 in the second and final Test on Monday.

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