Gambhir and Laxman put India in control

By N.Ananthanarayanan

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Opener Gautam Gambhir and Vangipurappu Laxman lashed double hundreds as India declared their first innings at 613 for seven to seize control on the second day of the third test against Australia on Thursday.

Gambhir struck 206 for his maiden double century before Laxman reached 200 not out and skipper Anil Kumble declared the innings closed about an hour after tea.

It was the first time two Indian batsmen had scored double hundreds in one test innings.

Australia were 50 for no loss at stumps with openers Matthew Hayden (16) and Simon Katich (29) seeing off 15 overs together.

The 33-year-old Laxman played elegant shots to reach his second test double hundred, after his then Indian test record of 281 against Australia in 2001 which sparked a sensational comeback home series win.

He struck 21 fours in a near eight-hour knock, having scored his 13th test century, and sixth against Australia, before lunch.

He shared in a 278-run fourth-wicket partnership with the left-handed Gambhir, who completed a chanceless double after lunch before being dismissed.

Gambhir struck 110 runs in boundaries, faced 380 balls and had batted for more than nine hours before playing a delivery from all rounder Shane Watson on to the stumps.