SYDNEY: Breaking his jinx of getting out in the 90s, Sachin Tendulkar struck an unbeaten 154 to lead a strong counter-attack by India which gained a vital 69-run first innings lead over Australia in the second cricket Test.

The 34-year-old master batsman continued his special association with the majestic Sydney Cricket Ground as he not only notched up his 38th Test century, but also guided India to a commanding first innings total of 532. It was a moment of huge relief for Tendulkar as he reached the milestone after being dismissed in the 90s six times in one-day internationals and once in a Test match in 2007 alone.

It was an emotional moment for Tendulkar as held his bat and helmet aloft in each hand as he looked to the skies after completing his 38th ton, his third consecutive ton at the SCG, as the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

Tendulkar drove Stuart Clark for a couple in the afternoon session to raise his three-figure knock and in all, batted for 404 minutes, faced 243 balls and hit 14 fours and a six.

He shared a couple of century stands with Sourav Ganguly and Harbhajan Singh, the one with the latter being a record for the eighth wicket for India against Australia.

They put on 129 for the eighth wicket which overtook the 127 Syed Kirmani and Karsan Ghavri had added in Mumbai during the 1979-80 series.

No less important was a 110-run fourth wicket stand which Tendulkar managed with Ganguly or the contributions he could eke out with RP Singh (13) and Ishant Sharma (27) for the final two wickets. As many as 187 runs were raised for the final three wickets by the visitors to leave the home attack completely flattened.

Turning out for probably the last time at an SCG Test, Tendulkar produced a virtuoso performance and ensured the good work of the second-day centurion VVS Laxman did not go to the waste bin. Earlier in the test match, stylish VVS Laxman gave ample display of his class with a fluent century as India fought back with a spirited batting display.

After the Australian first innings folded up, the wristy Laxman led the Indian resurgence with a sparkling 109. Another member of the century gang was Andrew Symonds, who had earlier hit a smashing 162 to take Australia to a big 463.

To be fair, the Indians were also done in by some poor umpiring decisions with captain Ricky Ponting and centurion Andrew Symonds being the beneficiaries. Symonds could have returned to the pavilion when he was on 30 if a confident caught behind appeal was not turned down by umpire Steve Bucknor much to the dismay of the Indians.

Television replays showed that Symonds had edged the ball to Dhoni and the flamboyant right-hander made full use of the reprieve.