Vihaan Malhotra made a fluent hundred, but India U19 batters caved in against left-arm spinner Ralphie Albert as England gained the upper hand after Day 3 of the second four-day Youth Test here on Tuesday.

Malhotra (120, 123 balls) and Ayush Mhatre (80, 90 balls) fought well for India, but it was bowled out for 279 in the first dig to concede an innings lead of 30 runs.

England was 93 for no loss in its second innings for an overall lead of 123 runs at close. Adam Thomas (50 batting) and BJ Dawkins (42 batting) were at the crease.

However, India, overnight 51 for one, looked set to gain a substantial advantage when Malhotra and Mhatre added 133 runs for the second wicket in a little over 24 overs.

India was 170 for 1 at that stage, but the dismissal of Mhatre changed the complexion of the game as England, led by left-arm spinner Albert (6/53), put the visitors under considerable pressure.

India made a brief comeback into the game through a 61-run alliance for the fifth wicket stand between Malhotra and Harvansh Panglia (28).

But from that point, Albert ripped through the Indian line-up as they lost the last six wickets for a mere 37 runs.