Yuvraj celebrates after reaching his third Test century

Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh staged a remarkable fightback to leave India in a dominant postion against Pakistan on day one of the third Test.

Three early wickets from debutant Yasir Arafat saw India slump to 65-4 before a partnership of 300 off just 395 balls saw them recover to 365-5 at the close.

Yuvraj, recalled with Sachin Tendulkar injured, blasted a brilliant 169 while Ganguly was unbeaten on 125.

It was Yuvraj's career-best score, and he hit 28 fours and one six.

Mohammad Sami had struck early for Pakistan when he saw a tentative Gautam Gambhir edge behind for five.

606 debate Yuvraj must smile inside when he steps on to the field and the opposition is Pakistan SwingBowler

All-rounder Arafat, called into the touring party as a replacement for the injured Umar Gul, dismissed Rahul Dravid, opener Wasim Jaffer and VVS Laxman in an impressive display of seam bowling.

Arafat tempted Dravid into a slash outside off stump to be caught at first slip by Misbah-ul-Haq, while Laxman played a low delivery onto his stumps.

Ganguly and Yuvraj then took control in spectacular fashion to the delight of the home crowd.

The latter finally went caught in the gully when trying to close the face of the bat on a Sami delivery in the dying moments of the day.

Ganguly turns the ball away through the leg-side

Ganguly, playing in his 99th Test, hit 20 boundaries for his 15th century, reaching it with an effortlessly-struck four off part-time spinner Yasir Hameed.

India are 1-0 up in the series after winning the opening game by six wickets in Delhi.

But they were forced to go into the final game without Tendulkar (ankle) and pace bowlers Zaheer Khan (ankle) and Munaf Patel (back).

Wicket-keeper Mahendra Dhoni was ruled out on the morning of the match, with Dinesh Karthik taking the gloves.

Nineteen-year-old Ishant Sharma and Irfan Pathan - playing in his first Test since June 2006 - look set to take the new ball when it is Pakistan's turn to bat.

Younus Khan is captaining Pakistan for the second successive Test with Shoaib Malik yet to recover from an ankle injury.

"I was nervous when we were 61-4. I have never been a confident starter in Test cricket. It gives me shivers because it's a different ball game.

"I was disappointed to get out. I should have got a double century, but I am happy I pulled my team out of trouble."

"The pitch helped bowlers in the morning and I kept a tidy line and length to get three wickets. It later played easy, but all credit to Yuvraj and Ganguly.

"We now have to get India out as quickly as possible tomorrow morning to have any chance of winning the match."