Australia have defended their decision to play only one spinner in the first cricket Test in Chennai after India captain MS Dhoni ripped their bowling attack to shreds with a brutal double hundred.
Dhoni will resume day four on a career-best 206 with his side in complete control on 515 for 8 in reply to Australia's first innings of 380.
The wicketkeeper/batsman Dhoni smashed 22 fours and five sixes from 243 deliveries.
Offspinner Nathan Lyon, the team's sole specialist spinner for a match on a crumbling pitch, has figures of 3-182 from 40 overs.
Only seven Australia bowlers have conceded more runs in a Test innings.
It was Dhoni's sixth hundred and first against Australia and came at a crucial time after Australia had been in a strong position with India 196 for 4 when Sachin Tendulkar fell for 81.