England gained a vital first-innings lead of 75 as Andrew Flintoff wrapped up India for 241 in the first over after lunch on the third day in Chennai. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Harbhajan Singh provided the main resistance in a positive seven-wicket stand of 75, but Monty Panesar removed both batsmen as he began to regain some confidence. While England would have harboured hopes of an advantage over 100, their position remains very strong and now they can begin setting a tough target.
They found it hard 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 Singh, 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.
With India trailing by 161, Dhoni made a positive statement with a strong cut off Flintoff, but Harbhajan matched him shot for shot. Harbhajan 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 Ian 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 a stand of 75 in 17 overs. It was a confidence-boosting strike for Panesar, who had again seemed at odds with his game, and he was unlucky to have an lbw shout against Zaheer Khan turned down first ball.
