NOTTINGHAM, England (Reuters):

Sachin Tendulkar became only the third man to score 11,000 Test runs as he helped India take control of the second Test against England on the second day at Trent Bridge yesterday.

India surprisingly accepted the umpires' offer of bad light with six overs remaining even though they were in complete command at 254 for three after bowling England out for 198 before lunch.

Tendulkar, who was struck on the grill of his helmet by a James Anderson bouncer when on five, struggled initially but steadily gained in confidence. At the close he was on 57 with Sourav Ganguly on four.

England endured a tough day, though they at least gave themselves some hope of avoiding a first home Test match loss in 13 months by dismissing India captain Rahul Dravid (37) moments before the close.

India are currently well placed to win the match and the three-match series. They have not won a Test series in England for 21 years, while the home side are trying to protect a sequence of six years without a series loss.