Emotional centuries from Michael Clarke and Steve Smith lifted Australia to a total of 7-517 at stumps on a rain-marred second day of the first Test against India.

Clarke (128) and Steve Smith (162no) shared a 163-run stand on Wednesday, when showers interrupted all three sessions at Adelaide Oval.

The weather provided a good deal more resistance than the tourists’ bowlers, who sent down 30.4 overs on Wednesday and failed to make the most of overcast conditions after Australia resumed at 6-354.

Clarke batted in great pain and with little freedom due to a flare-up of his chronic back injury on day one, when he retired hurt on 60 and was rushed to hospital for scans.

Smith’s career-best form hit a new high, the 25-year-old unleashing a late flurry of audacious strokes as he passed his highest Test score.

Smith opened his shoulders after Clarke brought up a 28th Test ton in the second over after tea.

Clarke fell to legspinner Karn Sharma in the final over of the day, with bad light ending play.

The clouds had no sense of occasion as the tributes continued at Phillip Hughes’ homeground.

Smith was on 98 when an early lunch was taken due to the weather.

Clarke was on the same score when the second session also ended prematurely after only 11 balls.

But both men reached triple figures, paying tribute to Hughes in their own way.

Smith moved over to where the number 408 was painted on the outfield, pointing his bat to the sky.

Clarke’s celebration was more muted – the 33-year-old kissing the crest of his helmet and saluting the crowd.

The pair, both friends of Hughes, hugged after each milestone and walked off to a standing ovation.

India had little joy in the field.

Wriddhiman Saha fumbled a stumping chance when Smith was on 131, while the right-hander also benefited from dropped catches on 148, 150 and 161.

Clarke was dropped on 118 by Ajinkya Rahane, while the 500 came up when a woeful leg-side wide from Ishant Sharma raced to the rope.

Clarke donned a back brace while batting, his short-term future still uncertain due to the three degenerative discs in his lower back.

“Unfortunately it’s quite a significant back injury,” Australia’s team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said before play.

Clarke was clearly restricted – there was no trademark fancy footwork and he limited his shot selection to minimise twisting.

Every shot caused a clear pang.

The 33-year-old grimaced regularly and his running between the wickets was understandably slow, but he and Smith kept the scoreboard ticking over.

“He’s showing a lot of courage,” Shane Warne said while calling the game for the Nine Network.

“Some (strokes) are going to hurt a lot more than others, but he’s in a lot of pain.”