Dhoni blasted 14 fours and four sixes in his thrilling century

India wicket-keeper Mahendra Dhoni struck a superb maiden Test century as his team recovered to 441-5, 147 behind Pakistan at stumps on day three.

Rahul Dravid recorded his second successive hundred and took his second wicket partnership with VVS Laxman to 197, an Indian record in Pakistan.

However, four wickets fell for 45 in 11 overs after lunch and as Dhoni came in 107 were needed to save the follow-on.

Dhoni hit some fierce strokes in an unbroken 160 stand with Irfan Pathan.

Dravid completed his half-century by driving the opening ball of the day from Mohammad Asif straight down the ground for four.

Laxman, 28 not out overnight, reached his fifty from 147 balls with seven fours.

In the absence of injured Inzamam, Pakistan were led by Younis Khan, and were also without Shoaib Malik, who returned home to visit his seriously ill father.

With both batsmen well set, Shoaib Akhtar was unable to get his radar right and the spinners were frustrated by the slow pitch, so there seemed little chance of a wicket.

But in the third over after lunch, Laxman attempted to cut Danish Kaneria and got an edge to keeper Kamran Akmal.

When Tendulkar fell in debatable fashion, India were in trouble at 281-5

Three overs later Dravid, having completed his 22nd Test century with a cut to the boundary off Shahid Afridi, failed to beat substitute Imran Farhat's direct hit from square-leg.

Pakistan needed no second invitation to take the new ball, the old one looking as if it had been chewed by a dog, and it soon brought them success.

Having elected not to play the hook shot at the start of his innings, Yuvraj Singh was tempted by Mohammad Asif and Danish Kaneria took a well-judged catch inches inside the ropes at fine-leg.

Dhoni had still to get off the mark when he flashed at one from Shoaib Akhtar that flew over first slip to the boundary.

Sachin Tendulkar collected two boundaries in an over from Asif, guiding to the third man fence and cracking a magnificent back foot drive.

Akhtar tested Dhoni, playing only his fifth Test, with a bouncer that the cavalier keeper swiftly dispatched into the stands for six, but in the same over a 93mph delivery accounted for Tendulkar.

The star batsman walked without looking at umpire Simon Taufel, even though replays suggested his glove was not on his bat when the ball brushed it.

Dhoni continued to lead a charmed life, a back foot force just clearing point, and a hook at Akhtar from round the wicket falling short of the deep fielder.

He scored in explosive fashion with three fours in an over off Asif and at tea was unbeaten on 56 with seven fours and three sixes.

That level of scoring could not be maintained in the final session, although Dhoni and Irfan Pathan recorded their century stand from 88 balls.

Both batsmen had reprieves late in the day, Dhoni bisecting first and second slip off Asif when he had scored 105.

In the final over before bad light took the players off, Pathan, on 48, edged the same bowler and Akmal spilled the low chance to his left, the ball ricocheting off the shin of Younis at first slip.