The Delhi opener, dropped on 15 and 82, punished Pakistan's inexperienced pace bowlers to be on the verge of his ninth Test hundred.

India were 184 for one wicket in reply to Pakistan's first innings 312 all out when play was called off due to bad light, the final session having been played with the stadium lights on.

Rahul Dravid was 39 not out, having added 71 runs for the second wicket with Sehwag.

Play was delayed until one hour before tea due to steady drizzle since morning.

Sehwag, 26, played a typically rapid knock to quickly snatch the initiative, guiding India to 67 for no loss in the 11 overs before tea.

Sehwag shared in a 113-run opening partnership off 109 balls with Gautam Gambhir, who made 41.

Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria struck with his first delivery after tea by dismissing Gambhir. He hit seven fours in his 46-ball effort.

Dravid quickly settled down with some fluent drives to raise hopes of a huge Indian total.