Cautious India dig in after England hitback

By N.Ananthanarayanan

MOHALI, India (Reuters) - England's bowlers pegged back a defensive India by reducing the hosts to 134 for four in the second innings on the fourth day of the second and final test on Monday.

India held a 285-run lead at the close, batting cautiously after early setbacks. Opener Gautam Gambhir was 44 not out, after scoring a measly 18 runs in the final session of 25 overs, with Yuvraj Singh on a breezy 39.

"The partnership between me and Gautam has opened up the game towards us," Yuvraj told reporters. "We will see tomorrow, chasing any target on the last day is always tough."

Spinner Harbhajan Singh took four wickets to help dismiss England for 302 in the morning and hand India a 151-run lead. India scored 453 in their first innings, having won the first test in Chennai by six wickets.

England new ball bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad rattled the top order in the post-lunch session and two run outs reduced the innings to 80 for four after tea.

India managed just 47 runs from 23 overs in the afternoon after Virender Sehwag (17), Rahul Dravid (0) and Sachin Tendulkar (5) fell cheaply in the space of 15 runs.

Vangipurappu Laxman was then run out for 15 after a mix-up with Gambhir.

RISKY SINGLE