Dravid congratulates Laxman

Dravid and Laxman's partnership was India's best for the fifth wicket in Test cricket, surpassing 214 by Mohammad Azharuddin and Ravi Shastri against England at the same venue in 1984.

"Too good to be true," was Laxman's stunned reaction.

"To surpass a man of Gavaskar's stature is a great honour. But I am happy my effort has given India hope.

"Once we saw off the first hour, I knew we could bat all day. It was just a matter of sticking it out there."

Asked about his target for the final day, Laxman replied: "Yes, absolutely - 300 I am aiming at."

Dravid was, unsurprisingly, unstinting in his praise of his partner.

"He made it look all so easy," he said.

"I owe my century to Laxman, but I hope it has silenced some people who had predicted that I would not get runs against the Australians."

Australian coach John Buchanan acknowledged the prospect of their run of 16 consecutive Test victories coming to an end.

"We've been in the field for a couple of days now, despite having enforced the follow-on.

"Yes, it has been a lot of hard work and it feels even harder when you get little or no return for the effort you put in."