Cheteshwar Pujara, Murali Vijay put India in charge against England on Day 3

Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay slammed fifties as India reached a strong position at lunch on day 3 of the first Test in Rajkot.

Riding on brilliant centuries from opener Murali Vijay (126) and Cheteshwar Pujara (124), India reached 319/4 at stumps on day three of the opening Test against England here on Friday. (BLOG)

Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara put India on top with magnificent fifties as India reached a strong position against England in Rajkot. (BCCI)

England, however, took two quick wickets of Vijay and night-watchman Amit Mishra (0) after dismissing Pujara in the post-tea session to level the proceedings.

Skipper Virat Kohli (26) was at the crease at close as umpires drew stumps immediately after Mishra’s dismissal. (SCOREBOARD)

Earlier, Vijay and Pujara forged a 209-run stand for the second wicket to deny England any early inroads after the dismissal of opener Gautam Gambhir (29). At stumps, skipper Virat Kohli was unbeaten on 26.