Result foremost in Pietersen's thoughts - Yahoo! Eurosport UK

Kevin Pietersen reflected on a "satisfying" century but said his 22nd Test hundred would mean a lot more if, as expected, it is part of a famous victory over India at the Wankhede Stadium.

Pietersen displayed an uncanny mastery of conditions and of world-class opponents to follow his captain Alastair Cook in equalling the all-time England record for Test tons. Their double-century partnership put the tourists on course for a total of 413 all out before India closed on 117 for seven - just 31 runs in front.

"It was a pretty difficult wicket," Pietersen said. "You knew that at some stage a ball had your name on it, so to have got some (runs) on that was satisfying."

Pietersen's performance will inevitably be set in the context of his long summer of contract wrangles, and his "reintegration" as an England cricketer only after a tortuous series of clear-the-air meetings with management and team-mates.

In an environment which prizes the team ethos above all, he was at pains to stress that his personal glory will count for little without consequent collective success.

"It will mean a lot more if we win tomorrow," he added. "Getting hundreds for England, and especially Cookie going to 22 and then saying to me 'you haven't got far to go, then you're there as well' ... it was a special moment.

"'Chef' was magnificent, and it's a great feeling to be at the top of the list with him."

The wonder of day three in the second Test was that Pietersen (186) - and in his own more functional fashion, Cook (122) - made India's three-strong spin attack labour so much longer for their successes.

Pietersen, in particular, was largely untroubled by sharp turn and bounce and made a nonsense of a weakness many have perceived against left-arm spin by taking heaviest toll on India's most dangerous bowler Pragyan Ojha (five for 143). England, nine-wicket losers in the first Test, can realistically again contemplate the possibility of series victory.

"We've come here to try and win and want to 'front up' to the challenge," Pietersen added. "The captain asked that of us, especially before this second Test match, and some of the guys are really going a long way to win us this one tomorrow."