Kevin Pietersen hit a brisk 64 to help England recover to 4-163 on a rain-hit opening day of the second Test against India.

Pietersen added 81 for the third wicket with Ian Bell (38) after seamer Irfan Pathan struck in successive overs to reduce England to 2-36.

Pietersen hit his second successive 50 in a 108-ball effort containing 10 fours and one six on a day of interruptions due to poor light.

England's Andrew Flintoff won the toss and chose to bat on a grassless Mohali pitch.

Paul Collingwood (19) and Flintoff (4) were together when play was halted then called off due to bad light after tea with only 50 of the day's stipulated 90 overs bowled.

More than 2-1/2 hours were lost after the start was delayed by 45 minutes due to overnight rain.

The first match of the three-Test series ended in a draw.

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