India punished England on an excellent batting surface in Chennai on Day 3 of the fifth Test in Chennai, after opener KL Rahul (199) posted the best score of fledgling Test career.

At the close of play, the hosts marched to a commanding 391/4, just 86 behind the 477 posted by Alastair Cook’s men. Rahul was well supported by fellow opener Parthiv Patel (71) and newcomer Karun Nair (71, not out).

Starting the day at 60/0, Patel and Rahul were at ease while facing the English bowlers in the first session. All-rounder Moeen Ali picked up Patel’s wicket, only after the Patel-Rahul duo had amassed 152 for the first wicket. Despite suffering a shoulder injury, Murali Vijay (17, not out) came out to bat after Rahul’s dismissal.

The visitors’ best passage of play came when the wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Virat Kohli fell in quick succession – the wily Stuart Broad masterminded Kohli’s dismissal. However, Rahul and his Kartnataka teammate, Nair, punished the England bowlers with utmost disdain.

Rahul fell one run short of a double hundred, cutting a harmless Adil Rashid delivery straight to Jos Buttler at cover. The 24-year-old was only the ninth batsman in Test cricket history and the second after former captain Mohammed Azharuddin to be dismissed on 199.