Rajkot: The attendance was negligible on the first two days of the Test at the impressive Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) Stadium. Things improved marginally on Friday and those who came to enjoy India's batting definitely left satisfied at the end of the day.

Facing England's mammoth 537, the Indians refused to succumb under pressure and ended the day at 319 for four. Two batsmen - opener Murali Vijay (126) and Cheteshwar Pujara (124) - dominated the show and slammed centuries against some disciplined bowling. Their 209-run second-wicket partnership played a key role in blunting the England attack.

Things could have been better had India not lost Vijay and night-watchman Amit Mishra in the last couple of overs. But with Virat Kohli (26 batting) still there and Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha and Ravichandran Ashwin to follow, the home side can easily look forward to Saturday with optimism.

For the spectators, Pujara's century was a matter of huge delight. He is a local boy who has scored heavily for Saurashtra in domestic cricket with amazing consistency. His entire family and a large number of fans present in the stands went ecstatic when Pujara completed his ninth Test century in the first-ever Test on his home turf.

But then, the fitting Indian reply notwithstanding, Friday's proceedings was perhaps not exactly a great advertisement for Test cricket. If the wicket was slow, the pace of cricket was slower. While 99 runs were scored in the pre-lunch session, only 66 came between lunch and tea. Another 91 were added in the last session with India losing the wickets of Pujara, Vijay and Mishra.

To put the entire blame on Indian batsmen for a relatively slow scoring-rate would be grossly unfair. Though they did not receive much assistance from the wicket, the England bowlers did a commendable job. Most of them bowled accurately and did not allow Indian batsmen to take liberty.

At the same time, the wicket, perhaps, could have been more sporting in nature. Five centuries have been scored in three days. Given the way the wicket is behaving, a few more three-figure knocks won't leave anyone surprised. There is, however, another school of thought which feels the wicket could turn in the last two days.

India lost two wickets in three sessions and both dismissals could have been avoided. Gautam Gambhir's (29) exit in the second over of the day came as a disappointment for those who were hoping to see the seasoned opener making most of the opportunity offered to him by the selectors. It was not the best delivery from Chris Broad, but Gambhir missed and was trapped leg before.

The same could be said about Pujara's dismissal in the 92nd over. Ben Stokes thrived on poor fielding to score a century on Thursday. He was not greatly impressive with the ball but was lucky enough to get the breakthrough.

Pujara himself looked frustrated after he offered the catch to the lone slip, Alastair Cook. He slammed his pad with the bat before slowly walking out.

Pujara's century was timely though not a greatly entertaining one. Always a cricketer to approach batting with a realistic view, Pujara had reasons to stay extra cautious. He and Vijay were supposed to steady the innings - a task they performed wonderfully.

Pujara had his uncomfortable moments too, especially in the pre-lunch session against medium pacer Chris Woakes.

The Warwickshire bowler gave Pujara a harrowing time in his first spell, hitting the batsman on the shoulder and helmet with short deliveries on three occasions in three consecutive overs.

Pujara was indeed rattled but recovered to re-build his innings. Woakes was brought back by Cook when Pujara reached 99 off 158 balls.

It took the batsman 11 more deliveries to complete his century. In the 71st over, spinner Zafar Ansari's appeal for a leg-before decision against Pujara remained 'successful' only for a few minutes.

The batsman asked for the DRS and the third umpire cancelled the on-field umpire Chris Gaffaney's decision. Pujara then was on 86.

Pujara made a great start to his innings, hitting five fours in no time. Thereafter, he went into a shell, largely because of Woakes. Later, he regained his touch to hit a dozen more boundaries.

Vijay's knock, studded with nine fours and four sixes, was equally solid and timely though not exactly a chanceless one.

The batsman was on 66 when Broad had him caught on the wrong foot. The batsman offered a catch in the cover region but Haseeb Hameed could not hold on to it.

The debutant looked crestfallen but he received few pats on the back from his seniors. Hameed took two catches in the last two overs of the day - the one he took to dismiss Mishra was a great effort.

Vijay and Pujara have developed a great rapport these days. It takes lots of efforts from the bowlers to separate them. Against New Zealand recently in Kanpur, the duo was involved in century partnerships in both the innings. Friday's effort was highly crucial as India were feeling the pressure of a big total.