Australia v India: Steve Smith century leaves Test in balance

Australia stand-in captain Steve Smith hit a second century in two games to help leave the second Test with India finely poised.

Deputising for the injured Michael Clarke, Smith made 133 as the hosts posted 505, a first-innings lead of 97 at the Gabba.

Mitchell Johnson struck 88 as Ishant Sharma (3-117) and Umesh Yadav (3-101) shared six wickets.

India reached 71-1 by the close of day three, trailing by 26.

India's Murali Vijay, who made 144 on the first day, fell in the evening session when he played on trying to leave a delivery from Mitchell Starc.

However, Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara negotiated a tricky final period without further loss and will resume on Saturday on 26 and 15 respectively.

Australia began the day on 221-4 and Smith, 65 not out overnight, brought up his sixth Test hundred off 147 balls before he chopped on off Ishant.

He made an unbeaten 162 and 52 not out as Australia won the first Test by 48 runs.

Starc (52) and debutant Josh Hazlewood (32) helped boost Australia's total with some valuable late-order hitting.