Murali Vijay anchored India’s second innings with a painstaking fifty after England threatened to take charge of the second Test at Lord’s on Saturday.

India lost three wickets for five runs in 19 balls to be 4-123, a lead of just 99 runs.

But by the close of the third day they were 4-169, 145 runs ahead but not yet a decisive lead.

Opening batsman Vijay, in for nearly five hours, was 59 not out and India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni unbeaten on 12.

England’s Liam Plunkett had a day to remember, scoring a Test-best 55 not out to help his side into a 24-run first-innings lead and then taking two wickets in two balls.

While Vijay was becalmed, fellow opener Shikhar Dhawan struck four fours.

But on 31 the left-hander failed to get over the top of a cut off Ben Stokes and was well caught by Joe Root at backward point to leave India 1-40.

England again too often bowled short but when fast bowler Plunkett pitched the ball up from the Nursery End, he was duly rewarded.

He drew Pujara (43) forward and had him caught behind off the outside edge to end a second-wicket stand of 78 in nearly 30 overs.

Next ball Virat Kohli made the mistake of deliberately leaving a ball which came back up the Lord’s slope and was clean bowled for a golden duck.

Rahane, who made a superb 103 in the first innings, fell cheaply soon afterwards albeit controversially.

He was on five when he fended at a short delivery from Broad, the ball looping down the legside to wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

However, the ball had clearly hit Rahane’s arm guard rather than the glove, meaning he should have remained not out.

But with Indian refusing the Decision Review System, Rahane was unable to challenge Australian umpire Bruce Oxenford.

Earlier, Bhuvneshwar Kumar took six for 82 as he recorded his Test-best figures for the second time in as many matches.

But England’s tail wagged effectively as they added exactly 100 runs to an overnight 6-219 before the hosts were bowled out for 319.

Fast-medium bowler Kumar’s return surpassed his haul of five for 82 in last week’s draw at Trent Bridge.

But Plunkett and No.11 Anderson, fresh from his Test-best 81 in Nottingham, struck a flurry of boundaries as they added 39 in 43 balls.