MOHALI: Cheteshwar Pujara struck a patient half-century as he teamed up with skipper Virat Kohli to resist England's disciplined bowling on day two of the third Test in Mohali on Sunday.
India were 148 for two at tea with Pujara on 51 and Kohli on 40 at the crease. The hosts trail by 135 runs while replying to England's first innings score of 283.
England skipper Alastair Cook put pressure on the Indian batsmen by rotating his quick bowlers with an attacking off-side field as the opposition runs briefly dried up.
But Pujara and Kohli weathered the storm with their rock solid defence, the batting duo putting on an unbeaten 75-run partnership for the third wicket.
Pujara though was dropped on 35 after wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow failed to hold on to an edge from the batsman as a disappointed Ben Stokes looked on.
Earlier, returning wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel (42) gave the hosts a sturdy start before being trapped lbw off leg-spinner Adil Rashid in the fourth over after lunch.
Patel, who returned to the Test side after a gap of eight years, was given not out by the on-field umpire but England successfully reviewed the decision in their favour.
The left-handed batsman, who had himself benefited from the DRS after reversing a caught behind decision off Chris Woakes early in his innings, hit six boundaries during his 85-ball stay.
Seam bowler Stokes had given the visitors their first breakthrough in the first session after he got opener Murali Vijay caught behind for 12.
The visitors, who resumed the day on 268 for 8, were bowled out inside four overs with India's Mohammed Shami claiming three wickets in the innings.
India lead the five-match series 1-0.
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