England salvage draw but lose series

Set an unlikely victory target of 403 in a minimum of 43 overs during a weather-hit final day at the PCA Stadium, the two sides shook hands on the draw with 15 overs remaining after England reached 64 for one.

It provided a moral victory for the tourists, who successfully denied India the 2-0 series triumph.

But they still return home with their second straight series defeat and their second in a row against India.

Opener Alastair Cook was the only casualty of England's innings, edging seamer Ishant Sharma to VVS Laxman at second slip for 10, but Andrew Strauss finished unbeaten on 21, while Ian Bell scored useful runs and progressed to 24.

India had earlier resumed the final morning 285 runs ahead on 134 for four, and captain MS Dhoni finally called a halt to the innings when opener Gautam Gambhir fell three runs short of claiming his second century in the match.

Gambhir fell in the 10th over after lunch, clipping off-spinner Graeme Swann to backward point, before Dhoni signalled the declaration on 251 for seven.

Gambhir had shared a 153-run partnership with Yuvraj Singh, who made a superb 86 before he was run out by Bell.