Craig White's maiden international century left him with a special sense of satisfaction at stumps on day two as he contributed 121 out of England's first-innings 407.

But if England can make further inroads into the hosts' reply - currently worth 71 for two on a pitch expected to offer more and more assistance to the spinners - he will have still more reason to be proud of his contribution.

England are one down in the three-match series which concludes at Bangalore next week, and White hopes he has helped give his team a chance to wrest the initiative back.

"We have got a score on the board, so it is up to them now. The pressure is on them; there is none on us whatsoever," he said.

White suffered more than one anxious moment on his way to three figures on a day when the Indian fielders - and wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta in particular - were in generous mood.

But he was fortunate to have sterling support from the England tail, James Foster contributing 40 to an eighth-wicket stand of 105.

White - who shepherded the tail from a start-of-play 277 for six - finally departed when he was bowled by Harbhajan Singh, attempting to repeat his shot of two balls earlier when he hoisted the spinner for six over midwicket. He had lost Foster to a marvellous catch by Sachin Tendulkar.

India finished the day with their batting powerhouses of Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid at the crease.

Left-arm spinner Ashley Giles had Dasgupta caught by Hussain at short fine-leg. That was followed by the dismissal of Shiv Sunder Das, who made 41 but was taken at second slip off Andrew Flintoff.