James Anderson continued to exploit India’s circumspect batsmen, snaring three big wickets to put England in control after day two of the final Test in Nagpur.

Anderson bowled both Virender Sehwag (0) and Sachin Tendulkar (2) with ones that snuck through the batsmen’s defences and had Gautam Gambhir (37) caught behind.

Graeme Swann accounted for Cheteshwar Pujara (26) as the host closed on 87-4 in reply to England’s 330.

Alastair Cook’s men, who lead the series 2-1, resumed day 2 on 199-5 but debutant Joe Root (73) and Graeme Swann (56) made sure England reached a healthy first innings total on an uneven wicket.

For the hosts, leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, returning to the Indian Test side after 2008, picked up 4-69 while seamer Ishant Sharma picked up 3-49.

For India, it seemed like a much improved performance after the last match, but when its batsmen came out to bat at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, the crowds witnessed an all too familiar collapse.

Virat Kohli and and under-fire skipper MS Dhoni remained unbeaten at the close of play, but they have plenty to do to help deny England a first Test series victory in India since 1984-85.