India fought back strongly during the afternoon session in Chennai, claiming three early wickets after conceding a lead of 75. Andrew Flintoff and Monty Panesar wrapped up the home side for 241 shortly after lunch, but England's top order found life hard, especially against the spinners, with Yuvraj Singh providing a huge bonus for India by removing Kevin Pietersen with his first ball.

Trailing by 161 overnight, India made strong inroads into the deficit as Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh added 75 before the last four wickets fell for 29. However, the equation was evened up when England slipped to 43 for 3 although the advantage of bowling last gives them a little extra breathing space.

Andrew Strauss, who again looked at ease in the middle, and Alastair Cook made comfortable progress during the opening overs. Ishant Sharma struggled with his front foot, sending down seven no-balls in his first spell, but made the first breakthrough when Cook fished at one outside off stump.

As in the first innings spin was introduced in the ninth over and again it was Amit Mishra ahead of Harbhajan, who even had to wait his turn behind Yuvraj. Mishra tossed the ball up, imparting nice side-spin and produced one that bounced more from a length to take Ian Bell's glove to short leg.

Then came the latest Dhoni masterstroke. As soon as Pietersen walked in Yuvraj was brought into the attack. All of England's batsmen have struggled with Yuvraj, both in the one-dayers and this Test, but as much for his sliders as his spin. His first delivery angled in with the arm, trapping Pietersen in front and the England captain knew his fate before the finger went up.

It could have been better for India too, because Dhoni put down a thick edge off Strauss when he had 15. Strauss continued his first-innings form, moving to a compact 30 by tea and Paul Collingwood had enabled some calm to return to the innings.

England's precious lead of 75 grew in importance with each setback although there was a feeling they missed a chance to nail India. They found it hard to replicate the intensity of the second evening when play resumed, with Steve Harmison suffering stiffness behind his knee, although a scan cleared him of serious problems, and Flintoff having been sick overnight.

Flintoff opened the bowling with Panesar, but wasn't as fearsome as he was on the second evening when he rattled Yuvraj, although still had the heart and character to deliver for his captain. He also needed to leave the field to have his ankle re-strapped.

Dhoni played a very mature innings and the more flamboyant shots came from Harbhajan, who has an individual style to his batting. He isn't afraid to use his feet against the fast bowlers and doesn't have much respect for opposition spinners. When Panesar went over the wicket, Harbhajan brought out the reverse sweep which brought a rather bemused smile from the bowler. He was equally confident against the quicks, slashing Harmison over the slips and through the covers during a loose spell.

The closest England came to a breakthrough during the first hour was when an inside edge from Dhoni shot low past Bell at short leg and it was a surprise that Graeme Swann was kept waiting for his chance. However, the first wicket went to Panesar as Bell held on to a more routine offering from Harbhajan to break the stand. It was a confidence-boosting strike for Panesar, who had again seemed at odds with his game.

Pietersen sensed the opening and almost immediately returned to Flintoff. Once again he was rewarded with a first-over breakthrough as Zaheer was trapped on the back foot by one that shaped in. Dhoni largely played within himself and brought up a half-century off 77 balls despite the pain of a twisted ankle which he picked up while running a three. However, with the final two tailenders in, he felt it was down to him to reduce the deficit and attacked Panesar, only to find Pietersen stationed two-thirds of the way back at mid-off. Panesar's trademark smile was returning and his spirit will be vital when England defend their fourth-innings target.

Mishra and Sharma whittled England's advantage down by a further 22 before Flintoff wrapped up the innings with the fourth ball after lunch. Two hours later and an already fascinating contest was turning into a cracker.