Pietersen ton puts England on top

In a stunning piece of batting acceleration, Pietersen charged to three figures and dragged his side out of potential trouble after lunch on day four. He was eventually last but one out for 134 as England were dismissed for 282.

Chasing an imposing 380 for victory, India closed on 137 for three with big two Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar amongst those dismissed.

James Anderson accounted for Wasim Jaffer and the tourists' captain Dravid was harshly adjudged leg before wicket to Chris Tremlett after being struck outside the line of off-stump.

Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar then produced a carbon copy of his maiden Test dismissal, when he prised out Tendulkar in Nagpur, with an lbw success from the nursery end.

Opener Dinesh Karthik reached a half-century, however, while former captain Sourav Ganguly survived a sharp chance to silly mid-off from the bowling of Panesar.

Earlier Pietersen paced his innings superbly. Having taken 119 deliveries to get to 64 not out, he needed only a further 29 balls for the 39 which took him to his landmark.

The third of three boundaries in an Anil Kumble over - a huge straight six was sandwiched between a cover drive and a clip to midwicket - sparked a celebratory charge by the batsman towards the Edrich Stand, where his wife-to-be Jessica Taylor was sat.

Pietersen's dash invigorated England after three quick wickets from Rudra Pratap Singh in the morning session had left the contest wide open.