Aussies in control after day two in Sydney as fans pay tribute to Richie Benaud

Australia's top six all passed 50 for the first time in history as they built a massive first innings total in Sydney, before Mitchell Starc struck from the third ball of the Indian innings. 

The visitors bounced back late in the day to finish at 1/71, but still trail by just over 500 runs on first innings. 

It was Australia's day at the SCG though, which also saw thousands of cricket fans in their best "cream, bone, white, off-white, ivory or beige" jackets in tribute to much-loved commentator Richie Benaud.

Left-armer Starc, replacing an injured Mitchell Johnson, took the new ball and had Murali Vijay caught behind for a duck, prompting a fiery celebration.

He was criticised by cricket great Shane Warne after a lacklustre display in Brisbane, described as "soft" and panned for what Warne deemed to be poor body language.

The youngster later publicly brushed off the legend's advice and found form for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League. 

The Aussies declared at 7/572 after Shaun Marsh and Joe Burns reached their milestones, the latter's first for his country. 

Marsh nicked behind for 73 but there was no respite for the Indian bowlers as Brad Haddin launched his first ball over the fence.  

A late Ryan Harris blitz saw him take 19 from a Bhuvnesh Kumar over before holing out for 24 off nine balls, prompting Steve Smith to declare.

Mohammad Shami was the pick of the tourists' bowlers, finishing with a hard-earned five wicket haul.

Smith's golden summer

Earlier, skipper Smith has brought up his fourth Test hundred of the summer. 

The 25-year-old reached his eighth Test ton with a flick through midwicket and has now made hundreds in each of his first three matches as captain, a first for an Aussie leader.

He eventually fell for 117, caught behind from the bowling of Umesh Yadav.

The Aussie skipper became only the third batsman along with Sir Donald Bradman and Jacques Kallis to score tons in four consecutive Tests in the same series.

Smith is also on track to break Bradman's record for the most runs in a four Test series between the two nations, needing just 17 in the second innings

Despondent Watson falls short

Teammate Shane Watson again fell short of an elusive ton, caught in the deep on 81, adding 20 to his overnight score. 

First day centurion David Warner had backed Watson to score heavily after a lean spell with the bat.

The all-rounder passed 50 for just the second time for the series yesterday and has just four Test tons from 55 matches.

"He really deserves a big one ... hopefully he gets it," Warner said.

"The amount of time and effort he puts into training is unbelievable.