Rajkot Test: Vijay, Pujara notch up tons as India reply strongly against England

Opener Murali Vijay and one drop Cheteshwar Pujara hit centuries as India staged a strong comeback against England on Day three of the opening Test at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium here on Friday.

Resuming at an overnight score of 63-0, India lost opener Gautam Gambhir (29) early in the morning session of the day's play.

Vijay, who ended the second day with 25 runs to his name, then joined forces with Pujara to keep the England bowlers at bay and stitched a massive 209-run partnership for the second wicket to guide their side past 300 at stumps.

Vijay's 126-run knock saw him smash nine boundaries and four sixes, while Pujara hit 17 boundaries in his 124-run knock.

However, the visitors fought back late in the day by dismissing Vijay and night watchman Amit Mishra (duck) in the space of four balls.

At the end of the day's play, India were at 319-4, with skipper Virat Kohli remaining unbeaten at 26.

Earlier, Moeen Ali (117), Ben Stokes (128) and Joe Root (124) all struck scorching centuries to guide the visitors to a massive first innings' total of 537 runs on the second day.