Yuvraj shines as India take control

Ganguly finished unbeaten on 125 but it was Yuvraj, who struck 169, who stole the show following his recall to the Test team.

Anil Kumble elected to bat first after winning the toss but that decision appeared to backfire as the India top order went cheaply.

Test debutant Yasir Arafat enjoyed a dream start to his five-day career as he took three India wickets in the opening session.

Only eight runs were on the board when Gautam Gambhir, one of four changes to the India side that drew the second Test in Kolkota, was dismissed for five after edging a Mohammad Sami delivery that was taken by a diving Kamran Akmal.

Arafat snared his first wicket of the day with the India total at 44 when Rahul Dravid got a thick edge on an attempted cut which carried to Misbah-ul-Haq at first slip to dismiss the former skipper for 19.

Wasim Jaffer, who hit a double-century in Kolkota, survived a dropped catch by Sami while he was still on two but he failed to make the most of his escape as he was dismissed lbw for 17 after failing to offer a stroke on a full Arafat delivery that swung in sharply on his pads.

VVS Laxman then became Arafat's third victim shortly before the lunch break when he was bowled for five to leave India floundering at 61 for four. But Ganguly and Yuvraj then took control, sharing an amazing 300-run stand for the fifth wicket.

The pair batted throughout the afternoon session and into the evening as Ganguly completed his 15th Test century and Yuvraj his maiden 150.

The partnership was eventually broken when Yuvraj was caught at gully by Faisal Iqbal off Sami, but Dinesh Karthik saw out the rest of the day with Ganguly and finished on three not out.