Steve Smith made it three centuries in three Tests against India to lead his Australia side to 389-7 at lunch on day two of the Boxing Day match in Melbourne.
The newly-appointed Aussie captain reached 128 not out by the interval to go past 500 runs for the series, in which he has only been dismissed once.
Resuming on 259-5, the hosts made swift progress as Brad Haddin hit eight boundaries on his way to 50 in 75 balls, before he was caught behind off Mohammed Shami.
Smith, who was promoted to skipper prior to the second Test in Brisbane following an injury to Michael Clarke, soon brought up his own landmark - a more measured knock off 195 balls.
The 25-year-old continued to torment an India attack which has toiled under his self-styled technique and immense concentration all series, while Mitchell Johnson increased the run rate upon his arrival.
Johnson smashed 28 off 37 balls before one swing too many saw him stumped by MS Dhoni off Ravichandran Ashwin. Ryan Harris was unbeaten on 10 as he and Smith left the MCG field to a standing ovation.
