London, July 22: Resuming on an overnight score of 22 runs on Day 2, Kevin Pietersen played a patient knock for his 202 not out to power England to a first innings score of 474 runs for eight wickets. He was involved in two century partnerships with Ian Bell and Matt Prior respectively.

The South Africa born batsman survived a half-chance when Rahul Dravid grassed a catch at leg slip off Praveen Kumar when he was just on 49 runs. Registering his fifth ton at Lord’s, Pietersen also reached 6000 runs in Test cricket on the day. In a post-match media interaction, he spoke about the landmark Test.

Excerpts:

On England’s declaration (at 474 for eight)

We wanted to have a bowl at India this evening so it was a case of trying to get a double hundred.

On playing at Lord’s

It is cricket, every single time you walk through the gate, you walk through the long room and the way up to the dressing room - it’s a special, special place. You always want to play at Lord’s and everybody who plays the game would love to play at Lord’s and you want to get on the honours board. So it’s been a profitable ground yet for me and [I hope it] continues.

On his innings

I think it’s key to success - keeping things simple. I tried to do that my whole career and it’s worked today.

On the contrast in his approach to batting on Day 1 and Day 2

Yesterday was very difficult conditions to bat in, some of the most difficult conditions that I have batted in Test match cricket so it was just a case of getting through yesterday, playing real straight, playing really light and saving up to wake up this morning and see some sunshine in London.

On whether the absence of Zaheer Khan helped England

Zak’s a fantastic bowler, isn’t he? But I have got some real good success against Zaheer in all the games I have played against him so he is one of a trio of fast bowlers.

On whether he felt better that one of his best competitors was not going to be bowling at him

Yeah, you do feel better because you know if you bat for a couple of hours, then another couple of hours the bowlers that are supposed to be running in and giving hundred percent, they can’t give hundred percent when they keep having to bowl and bowl and bowl and do Zak’s business.

On the chat between Praveen Kumar and him at the end of the innings

I captained PK for Bangalore [Royal Challengers Bangalore] for a season, I played with him for a season [and] made very good friends with him as well as Rahul [Dravid]. The IPL [Indian Premier League] is definitely a fantastic breeding ground to make good friends. I am very happy that PK got himself on the honours board as well; five-for PK. I am happy.

On how the pitch would play on the third day

The new ball definitely goes around, it swung today. You look at PK; PK bowled beautifully with the new ball so I think we are okay. 474 is a good score we have got.