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England bowled out for 240 in India one-dayer

Harbhajan Singh (right) after dismissing Kevin Pietersen

India's Harbhajan Singh took three key wickets to restrict England to a modest 240 all out in 48.4 overs in the third one-day international here on Thursday.

The off-spinner dismissed skipper Kevin Pietersen (13) and Paul Collingwood in successive overs before sending back Owais Shah on an easy paced wicket at the Green Park stadium.

Pacemen Ishant Sharma and Munaf Patel chipped in with two wickets each in a match reduced to 49-overs a side after a delayed start.

Ravi Bopara (60) top-scored for the visitors, reeling under heavy defeats in the first two one-dayers in Rajkot and Indore.

England, who rejigged their batting order, were off to a positive start after electing to bat, putting on 79 runs for the opening wicket before losing their way.

Ian Bell hit Munaf for two successive fours before edging one to wicketkeeper Mahendra Dhoni off the fast bowler. He hit eight fours in his 47-ball 46. Pietersen (13) lofted part-time spinner Yuvraj Singh for a six but mis-hit a similiar shot against Harbhajan to be caught by Zaheer Khan at long-off.

Harbhajan struck again in his next over when he deceived Collingwood with a 'doosra', the ball that moves away from right-handers.

Bopara reached his fourth one-day half-century with a four off Yuvraj but lost his wicket soon after when he was stumped by Dhoni while trying to go for an expansive drive. His 82-ball effort included eight fours.

Andrew Flintoff succumbed to the spin of Yusuf Pathan, being trapped leg before for 26.

Harbhajan then returned to cut short a fine 40-run knock by Shah, the dismissal handing him his 200th wicket in one-day internationals.

England bolstered their spin attack by including Graeme Swann to partner Samit Patel while India brought in Sharma for Rudra Pratap Singh.

The fourth game of the seven-match series will be played in Bangalore on Sunday.