UPDATE 3-Cricket-Indian openers Gambhir, Sehwag stroke centuries

* Gambhir notches hundred in fourth test in a row

* Sehwag hits 16th test century

* India strike their highest total in a day's play (adds details)

By N.Ananthanarayanan

KANPUR, India, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Indian openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag struck sparkling centuries as India amassed 417-2 to take a firm grip of the second test against Sri Lanka after the first day's play on Tuesday.

Gambhir top-scored with 167 to notch a century in his fourth test in a row and after Sehwag hit an aggressive 131, the duo adding a blistering 233 together after skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss on a good pitch.

India recorded their highest total in a day's play, surpassing their previous best of 386 against South Africa in Chennai last year.

At stumps, Rahul Dravid was unbeaten on 85 and eyeing his 28th test hundred with Sachin Tendulkar 20 not out.

Gambhir, 28, put in another solid performance to follow an innings of 114 in the drawn first test in Ahmedabad as another true pitch left the bowlers wringing their hands in despair.