Let off twice, the opener provided a breathtaking display of aggressive batting as India reached 184-1 at stumps in reply to Pakistan's first-innings total of 312 on a rain-hit second day.

Rahul Dravid was the other unbeaten batsman on 39 when bad light stopped play 10 overs before the scheduled close.

Just 40 overs were possible due to rain, but those were enough to thrill nearly 20,000 spectators who braved the inclement weather.

Sehwag made sure the home fans watching did not leave the stadium disappointed as he dominated an entertaining 113-run stand for the opening wicket with Gautam Gambhir (41) to put his team on course for a big total.

The free-hitting Sehwag, who scored a triple-century against Pakistan at Multan last year, continued to feast on the tourists' attack with one six and 12 fours on a seamer-friendly track.

Sehwag made Pakistan pay for letting him off the hook early in his innings and unleashed a flurry of boundaries to expose the tourists' bowling limitations.

Fast bowler Mohammad Sami succeeded in finding the edge of Sehwag's bat on 15 but Taufeeq Umar dropped a regulation catch at third slip.

Pakistan were left to rue this missed opportunity as Sehwag continued to attack the bowling, racing to his ninth Test half-century off just 49 balls with one six and seven fours.

Sehwag offered another chance on 82 but was dropped again by Younis Khan fielding at slip to leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.

Throughout his innings and apart from these two lapses Sehwag timed the ball well and found plenty of gaps in the field to pile the pressure on the Pakistani bowlers and fielders.

There was no respite for Pakistan as Gambhir provided valuable support from the other end. The opener stroked the ball fluently during his 78 minutes at the crease before losing his patience.

The left-hander tried to loft Kaneria over mid-on, but did not time the shot properly and was caught by Navedul Hasan. His 113-run stand with Sehwag came off just 17.1 overs.

The dominance of the Indian openers was reflected in the figures of the Pakistani bowlers with key quick Sami being struck for 55 in eight overs and Naved going for 49 off his 10.

Sehwag ploughed on even after the dismissal of his opening partner.

Razzaq was at the receiving end in the closing session when he was hit for three fours in an over by Sehwag, who had earlier cut Naved over slips for the lone six of the day.