Double-centuries from Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting put Australia in a near unbeatable position on day two of the fourth and final Test against India in Adelaide on Wednesday.

After Clarke reached the milestone shortly before lunch, Ponting followed his skipper's lead and notched up a sixth Test double of his career.

The record books were rewritten in South Australia as the pair shared in a 386-run stand for the fourth wicket - a new record at the Adelaide Oval. Captain and former captain helped guide the Baggy Greens to a commanding 604 for seven declared, while India ended the day on 61 for two, still a massive 543 runs behind.

Starting the day on 335 for three, it didn't take long for Australia's two premier batsmen to continue where they left off on Tuesday as Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav all leaked runs in the first hour.

Without any major problems both Clarke and Ponting brought up their 150's on the way to recording the highest ever partnership at the Adelaide Oval, brushing aside the previous best of 341 set by South African pair Graeme Pollock and the late Eddie Barlow.

India's best chance of a breakthrough came with Ponting on 186 as he played the ball back to Sharma, but the lanky paceman failed to hold onto a relatively easy return catch.

The dropped chance didn't deter Clarke, however, as he raised his bat for the fourth time this innings when he worked the ball through mid-wicket to go to his double, and following his 329 not out in Sydney, it's been a magnificent series for the Australian skipper.

However, his first ball after lunch saw his marathon innings come to an end when he was bowled by a quick Umesh Yadav delivery.

Ponting then stood firm and brought up his double century in the presence of Mike Hussey who added 25 rusn before he was run out brilliantly by Gautam Gambhir from the silly point position. The left-hander tried to push and run and, but he didn't count for the agility of Gambhir who made a sharp save and threw a direct hit before Hussey could even turn around.

Thereafter, Ponting (221) looked to push on for some quick runs and was dropped for the second time in the day when VVS Laxman put him down at mid-wicket, but eventually when he went on the hook one too many times he found Sachin Tendulkar in the deep and was forced to exit the crease to a standing ovation.

Peter Siddle (two) failed to make much of an impact, but Ryan Harris and Brad Haddin managed to get the hosts through to the tea break at 569 for seven.

After the interval a few lusty blows from Harris (35 not out) and Haddin (42 not out) took Australia to 604 for seven at which point Clarke decided it was time to have a bowl at the Indians.

Batting with his usual aggression, Virender Sehwag was fortunate not to be out in the second over as he was put down at mid-wicket by Ed Cowan, but after three cracking boundaries, the skipper's luck ran out when he provided a return catch which Siddle sensationally grabbed one-handed.

Rahul Dravid then made just one as he was bowled for the sixth time in seven innings in this series, leaving the tourists on 31 for two. However, Gambhir (30 not out) and Tendulkar (12 not out) were able to survive the remaining overs and take India to 61 for two t stumps.