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England's persistence forced India to halt their plan to score quick runs as they attempted to establish a major lead and push for victory in the final Test at the PCA Stadium.

Having conceded a 151-run first-innings deficit when they were dismissed for 302 early on the fourth day, the tourists could have faced a testing finale to the series had India given themselves time to bowl their opponents out by scoring quick runs.

But despite beginning their reply quickly, England's ability to make steady inroads slowed India's progress and forced them to bat for the remainder of the fourth day as they extended their lead to 285 at the close by reaching 134 for four.

India had begun their reply shortly before lunch after England, who resumed 171 runs adrift on 282 for six, lost their last four wickets for just 20 runs in only 10.5 overs.

Harbhajan Singh was the pick of the Indian attack, claiming three wickets to finish with figures of four for 68.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side attempted to set the tone for their second innings by racing to 30 without loss inside six overs.

But from the moment explosive opener Virender Sehwag was run out by Ian Bell until VVS Laxman was also run out following good work from Andrew Flintoff 33 overs later, they had clearly decided to bat out the game and added only 50 runs during that period.

Rahul Dravid was as patient as ever, facing 19 balls before being bowled by Stuart Broad for a duck, while Sachin Tendulkar fended James Anderson to the gully.

Opener Gautam Gambhir was the mainstay of the innings and after starting promisingly, hitting two boundaries in the first over, he had reached an unbeaten 44 when bad light halted play after 50 overs at the crease. Yuvraj Singh was 39 not out.

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