Sachin Tendulkar's 27th Test century wriggled the advantage in the second Test out of England's hands here at Motera.

Such was his dominance that his second 50 arrived in 55 balls compared to 128 deliveries for his first half-century.

He fell shortly afterwards, however, as Nasser Hussain caught him at mid-on at the second attempt to provide Matthew Hoggard with a second wicket.

Tendulkar's innings, though, guided India to 220 for five at tea, from the perils of 93 for four.

Initially uncharacteristically circumspect as India scored 20 in the first 15 overs, Tendulkar released the shackles with a flurry of boundaries either side of lunch.

His aggression on the resumption altered the state of the contest, making a mockery of the previously successful England tactics of bowling well outside off-stump. One Hoggard over cost 11 as Tendulkar's wrists three times flicked the ball into a gaping on-side from outside off-stump.

Richard Dawson was treated with disdain, Tendulkar lofting the off-spinner for a straight six and milking him consistently with neat sweeps.

Earlier, England had struck twice in the morning session to continue their ascendancy - Hoggard made the initial breakthrough and new-ball partner Andrew Flintoff followed up.