Murali fights as India finishes third day at 169 for four

Finishing England's innings at 319, ahead of India's first innings score of 295 runs by  24 runs, the visiting side started their second innings with confidence.

Both Shikhar Dhawan (31) , who has been missing the touch so far, showed some signs of returning to form as along with Murali Vijay (59*) added 40 runs to give the side a good start up the order.

Ben Stokes  dismissed Dhawan to give India the first blow.

Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara  (43) added 78 runs in the second wicket partnership to continue stabilise the innings.

Just as India was about to take a firm grip on the match, Liam Plunkett took two wickets in two balls to give the home side some amount of respite before they take on the field on Saturday.

Pujara and then Virat Kohli (0), Plunkett  took two crucial wickets in the 44thover of the innings. Stuart Broad helped the situation further by picking up the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane (5).

In the evening session, Broad benefitted from an umpiring error to add the wicket of Rahabe who had hit a century in the first innings.

Vijay and skipper MS Dhoni (12*) remained unbeaten at stumps as India were 145 runs ahead of England in their second innings.

Plunkett took two wickets while Broad and Stokes shared a wicket apiece.

Earlier in the day, it was Bhuvneshwar Kumar who continued his strong performance in the condition as he picked up six wickets by giving away 82 runs and helped in finishing England's innings at 319.

Plunkett, however, played a crucial knock of 55 runs as he helped  helped hosts add 100 to their overnight 219- for six.

The first Test had ended in a draw.

Brief scorecard:

India first innings 295 (A Rahane 103; J Anderson 4-60)

England first innings 319 (G Ballanace 110; B Kumar 6-82)

India second innings 169 for four in 63 overs (M Vijay 59no; L Plunkett 2-24)