Steve Smith has ended the longest century drought of his career, hitting his first hundred since the 2023 Ashes in a crucial knock against India.

In an innings that could have serious ramifications for both his career and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Smith hit a superb 101 at the Gabba on Sunday.

The knock marked his first century in 25 Test innings, and came as part of a mammoth 241-run fourth-wicket stand with Travis Head that took Australia to 4-316.

Lacking runs and without so much as a half-century since January, Smith looked like his old self again in Brisbane.

His 33rd Test century also took him past Steve Waugh for the second most of any Australian in history.

For a long time it had appeared that Smith could one day chase down Ricky Ponting's record mark of 41, before the hundreds dried up in recent years.

But Sunday's innings had the hallmarks of peak Smith.

After coming to the crease when two quick Jasprit Bumrah wickets left Australia 2-38, he first stabilised the innings before coming into his own.

Just as he so often does when he is batting at his best, Smith was able to pull with power in front of square leg and play his on-drive with comfort.

The majestic cover drive was also back, with two superb shots going to the boundary off Nitish Kumar Reddy and old nemisis Ravindra Jadeja after tea.

Smith struck another square drive off the fingerspinner to enter the 90s, then produced a stunning shot straight down the ground off Akash Deep to go to 99.

He then worked Akash to fine leg next ball to go to three figures, before raising his bat and helmet in customary style to celebrate the drought-breaking century.

The vice-captain was out shortly after, edging Jasprit Bumrah to Rohit Sharma at first slip when trying to drive the second new ball.

Smith's century also took him to 9805 career runs, within touching distance of 10,000.

There were a few chances for India, including when Smith shouldered arms to a Mohammed Siraj ball and survived an lbw review on umpire's call.

Another inside edge narrowly missed the stumps off Bumrah just after lunch, while an edge from Siraj bounced in front of the slips as he approached his hundred.

But for the most part Smith provided the perfect resistance, first alongside Marnus Labuschagne and then the hard-hitting Head.

Together the pair have given Australia every chance to set up for victory in the third Test, with rain appearing the biggest obstacle between the hosts taking a 2-1 lead to Melbourne.