Photos: Pietersen puts England in command

Kevin Pietersen scored an imperious, unbeaten 202 as England took control of the first Test against India at the Lord's on Friday.

The 31-year old, who had been struggling for runs, notched his 18th Test century and third double ton before England declared their first innings at 474 for eight.

- - Scorecard  Report

India scored 17 for no loss in the remaining six overs before stumps were drawn on Day 2, and trail by 457 runs.

Play got underway on Day 2 under bright, blue skies.

Jonathan Trott and Pietersen started steadily, but there was bad news for India going into the second day, with Zaheer Khan ruled out of the first innings.

A statement from the team management said the pacer strained his hamstring and is undergoing treatment, which is being administered by the team physio and may be unavailable to bowl in the first innings.

Trott began by smashing Praveen Kumar for a boundary in the first over itself.

Pietersen then took a cue from his batting partner and hit Ishant Sharma for four in the next over.

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Both batsman looked in control and played to the merit of the delivery.

It was frustrating for India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who then decided to replace Praveen Kumar with Harbhajan Singh.

Harbhajan managed to keep Trott quiet by bowling a maiden.

At this point, England were 159 for 2 in 61 overs.

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Dhoni later brought Praveen from the other end and the move worked for India.

After Pietersen guided the first ball of that over for a single, Praveen got the crucial breakthrough off the second delivery of the over, giving India their first wicket of the day by trapping Trott (70) plumb in front of the wickets.

The ball appeared to clip the leg stump and umpire Billy Bowden had no hesitation in raising his finger.

Trott made a valuable 70 and was involved in an equally valuable 98-run stand for the third wicket with Pietersen, a stand that helped build the foundation of England's innings.

With England cruising at 217-3, India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni handed his wicketkeeping gloves to Rahul Dravid and bowled the first over of Friday's afternoon session.

Dhoni had, till then, bowled just three overs without taking a wicket in 57 Tests. His first delivery, though, to Kevin Pietersen prompted a strong appeal for leg before wicket, which was turned down by umpire Billy Bowden.

The second delivery of his next over appeared to have kissed Pietersen's bat before being pouched by Dravid.

Umpire Bowden adjudged Pietersen out, but 'Hot Spot' showed no edge.

Kevin Pietersen grew in confidence. A beautiful on-drive, off Ishant Sharma, down the ground for a boundary, brought up his 18th Test hundred, and fourth against India.

He removed his helmet and raises his arms in celebration.

His last hundred at home was almost three years ago, against South Africa, at The Oval.

No sooner did Pietersen get his hundred, in the 92nd over, than Praveen Kumar struck.

In the next over, he had Ian Bell caught behind to a fine catch by Dhoni, diving to his right, off the first ball. Bell was out for 45, which included six fours.

He was involved in 110-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Pietersen.

England lost Eoin Morgan (0) in the same over, to the fourth delivery, Praveen again inducing an edge from the batsman and Dhoni taking a good catch.

England were reduced to 270 for five in 93 overs.

Kevin Pietersen, who resumed the day on 22, went on to smash an unbeaten double hundred as England declared at 474 for eight.

The 31-year-old batsman's 200 came with a cut through point region.

He remained unbeaten on 202 after facing 326 balls and hitting 21 boundaries and a six.

He held the England innings together, blending caution with aggression as he shared three valuable partnerships with Jonathan Trott (70) Matt Prior (71), Ian Bell (45) who were the other notable contributors.

Praveen Kumar was the pick of the Indian bowlers, getting a maiden five-wicket haul.