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LONDON - An umpiring mistake gave England a late boost before India closed on 316 for four wickets on the first day of the third and final test at the Oval on Friday (NZ time).
Sachin Tendulkar was 48 not out and Vangipurappu Laxman was on 20 after opener Dinesh Karthik scored 91.
India were consolidating their advantage at 276 for three when an error by South African umpire Ian Howell led to the dismissal of Saurav Ganguly for 37, lbw to medium-pacer Paul Collingwood.
Replays showed an obvious inside edge on to his pad and Ganguly defied disciplinary rules by indicating as much when he twisted his bat in the direction of the official before giving a rueful smile when sent on his way.
The decision brought an end to a promising fourth wicket partnership of 77 between Ganguly and Tendulkar, who was himself fortunate to get past 20.
Tendulkar deflected an inside edge from left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom to wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who spilled a regulation catch lunging to his right.
An elegant cover drive by Tendulkar off James Anderson to go to 40 in the second over of the new ball only made the dropped chance more galling for England, who trail 1-0 in the series.
India need only to avoid defeat to claim their first test series win in England for 21 years.
After winning the toss in sunny conditions, India put on 62 for the first wicket before Wasim Jaffer uppercut Anderson to Kevin Pietersen at third man.
Karthik and skipper Rahul Dravid then put on 127 as England's heads began to droop. Dravid played a supporting role to Karthik, who cracked 10 fours and a six over extra cover off Monty Panesar.
Both fell in the space of three overs to turn the match before tea. Dravid was bowled by a slower ball from Anderson that also swung away.
Karthik, dropped on 58 by Andrew Strauss off Panesar, was caught behind off Sidebottom to a loose swish, when nine runs from what would have been his second test hundred. Fielders were confident and Karthik did not appear upset with the decision but television replays did not show conclusive evidence of an edge.
- REUTERS
