Debutant Liam Dawson and Adil Rashid struck gritty half-centuries to help England post a formidable 477 against India on day two of the fifth and final Test in Chennai on Saturday.

Dawson and Rashid shared a record 108-run eight-wicket partnership to frustrate the Indian bowlers on what looks like a good batting pitch.

India were 60 for no loss at stumps with Lokesh Rahul and Parthiv Patel at the crease. The hosts still trail by 417 runs in the first innings.

England, who started the day on 284-4, were reduced to 321-7 in the morning session after overnight centurion Moeen Ali departed for 146 but Dawson and Rashid kept the visitors going.

The duo's partnership bettered England's previous best eighth-wicket stand in India of 97 by Douglas Jardine and Hedley Verity on their first-ever tour in 1933-34 in Chennai.

The England innings ended 45 minutes into the evening session with Amit Mishra cleaning up Jake Ball for 12.

All-rounder Dawson showed his batting prowess during his 148-ball stay, hitting 5 fours and a six. Dawson's effort was the highest by an England No. 8 on debut in Tests, surpassing David Bairstow's 59 against India in 1979.

SCORES IN BRIEF

ENGLAND: 477 all out (Ali 146, Dawson 66 not out, Rashid 60; Jadeja 3-106, Sharma 2-42)

INDIA: 60 for no loss (Rahul 30 not out, Patel 28 not out; Ali 0-18)