The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Adelaide

Australia's Adam Gilchrist set a world record for wicketkeeping dismissals Friday as India reached 526 in its first innings and the hosts began strongly in reply on day two of the fourth test.

Gilchrist, in his 96th test, tied the record held by South Africa's Mark Boucher when he caught Harbhajan Singh off Andrew Symonds and then set a new mark of 414 dismissals when he caught Anil Kumble off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson to end India's innings.

He has taken 377 catches and 37 stumpings, gaving him the outright record ahead of Boucher (413) and fellow Australians Ian Healy (399) and Rod Marsh (355). The dismissal ended an impressive rearguard action by the India tail on day two, with Kumble (87) leading a fightback that saw the tourists add 167 runs for the last three wickets.

Kumble, in partnerships of 107 for the eighth wicket with Harbhajan (63) and 58 for the 10th with Ishant Sharma (14 not out), helped guide India from 309-5 at the beginning of the day. Australia began impressively in reply, to be 62-0 at stumps, with Matthew Hayden on 36 and Phil Jaques on 21.

"They have been two very tiresome days for us but I guess it shows the wicket's a nice wicket," Gilchrist said. "Hopefully we can learn from that that we have to make partnerships count, which India did.

"Fortunately we've got through tonight unscathed so we've got a good foundation to work from."

Gilchrist's record came at a time in which his position as Australia's test keeper has been questioned. Critics believe his glovework has lost some of its sharpness and there is support for back-up keeper Brad Haddin to take his place.

India lost two wickets in the first hour Friday including Sachin Tendulkar, who was out for 153 after resuming at 124. Tendulkar was caught in the deep by Brad Hogg off Brett Lee after stroking 13 fours and three sixes in an innings of 338 minutes.

India was still in a vulnerable position when Tendulkar was out at 359-7 but skipper Kumble led the tailend revival. Kumble posted his fourth test half century and his highest score against Australia, eclipsing his previous best of 45 not out. Harbhajan recorded his fifth test 50 and matched his highest score against Australia.

The 107-run stand that frustrated Australia ended when Harbhajan was caught behind an hour after lunch.

R.P. Singh was out for a duck soon after, but Kumble found another dogged partner in No. 11 Sharma who stayed with him for 80 minutes.

Tea was pushed back by 30 minutes as Australia attempted, unsuccessfully, to end the Indian innings; at last doing so 11 balls into the final session when Kumble fell.

Hayden and Jaques batted for 92 minutes before stumps, defying an India attack that must take 20 wickets over the remaining three days if it is to win the test and square the series.