Openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook negotiated 16 overs at the end of the third day after India piled up 481.

England resume on Monday on 43 without loss, a deficit of 240, with hopes of avoiding a 1-0 deficit in the three-match series dependent on posting a huge score.

Sachin Tendulkar fell just nine short of a 38th Test hundred when he was harshly adjudged leg before, playing no shot to Paul Collingwood, by umpire Simon Taufel.

Sourav Ganguly also appeared unhappy with his dismissal for 79, to a leg-side catch by wicketkeeper Matt Prior off James Anderson.

Ganguly's wicket was only England's second wicket in 53 overs on Sunday and frustration in the home ranks manifested itself when Kevin Pietersen was involved in a flashpoint with Zaheer Khan.

Words were exchanged between the number nine batsman and Pietersen, positioned at gully, and both umpires intervened, talking to Andrew Strauss, who was in charge of the side with Michael Vaughan off the field and then Vaughan when he returned at the end of the over.

Although Mahendra Dhoni went cheaply to Ryan Sidebottom, it proved a hard slog for England.

VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble shared a half-century stand before both were caught behind off the economical Chris Tremlett.

Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar then made it four wickets in half-a-dozen overs by claiming two leg-before decisions to finish off the tail.