It looks like defeat is inevitable for Australia as India has put up a huge first-innings lead on the third day of the second Test at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.

Cheteshwar Pujara scored 204, his second Test double century, and Murali Vijay struck 167 to help the host take a comfortable 266 runs lead on the third day. Their 370-run partnership put India in the driver's seat despite poor contribution from other batsmen.

India put up a total of 503 runs in reply to Australia's first innings score of 237 for 9 (declared) helped by Michael Clarke's score of 91 runs and Matthew Wade's 62.

It looked like India would pile up a huge lead at one point of time with the score standing at 400 for 3 but Australian bowlers managed to take nine wickets for just 116 runs. Only Mahendra Singh Dhoni (44) and Virat Kohli (34) showed some resistence.

Australia started off the second innings in style with David Warner belting three fours off Ashwin's first over but he fell to off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for just 26 runs. Ashwin then sent off Phillip Hughes for a duck.

The visitors were reeling at 74 for two at the close of play on the third day of the second Test with Ed Cowan batting on 26 and Shane Watson batting on 9. They still need 192 runs to avoid an innings defeat.

With two days play remaining, a draw seems like an uphill climb for the Aussies and it's a question of whether India can bowl out the visitors on Tuesday itself or extend to the fifth day.

India lead 1-0 in the four-match Test series. Dhoni's men beat Australia by eight wickets in the first test at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.

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