Pietersen's 134 was the cornerstone of England's second innings 282 which left India needing to chase down 380 -- the fourth highest fourth innings Test victory total in history -- to go 1-0 up in the three-match series.

They closed on 137 for three, needing a further 243 on Monday's final day for a dramatic win.

Earlier this month, Pietersen said he felt exhausted after being involved throughout England's Champions Trophy, Ashes and World Cup campaigns before this season's home Test and one-day series with West Indies.

But he was adamant it was wrong to interpret those comments as an unwillingness to play international cricket.

"What you guys (the press) should know is that every single time I turn up for a training session, every single time I turn up for an international, I'll never ever shy away from anything," said the 27-year-old after compiling his first Test hundred against India, his third this season alone, and ninth in 28 matches at this level.

"I'm committed to everything I do for this country, everything I do for this team, to win a Test match, to win a one-day game," the South Africa-born batsman insisted.

"I simply answered a simple question which I was asked last week and it got blown up. I've never shied away from anything. I'll always turn up for England. I've never asked for a day off, ever, in terms of an international. As long as I'm asked to play for England I'll play, that's the bottom line."

Pietersen, often portrayed to his annoyance as a selfish loner, added: "I play to entertain, to enjoy myself, to express myself but the most important thing is setting the team up to win a Test match. That's why I gave my wicket away this afternoon trying to get a few more runs.

"If I was playing for myself, I could quite easily have been batting now. I definitely put the team first," said Pietersen, bowled hitting out by left-arm quick RP Singh, having faced 213 balls with one six and 14 fours.

Before the close England dismissed India captain Rahul Dravid and fellow star batsman Sachin Tendulkar for just nine and 16 respectively.

However, Sourav Ganguly -- dropped on 12 -- was still there on 36 with opener Dinesh Karthik on 56.

"We've got two real good wickets. But they've got good batsmen to come. Ganguly is still there, (VVS) Laxman is next in, (Mahendra) Dhoni and Karthik, who is playing quite well at the moment," Pietersen said.

Just after Sunday's close, Pietersen appeared to intervene as England captain Michael Vaughan and Ganguly exchanged cross-words.

But Pietersen said: "There was no peace-keeping at all. Cricket is a tough game played by tough competitors. He (Ganguly) is a tough competitor, Michael's a tough competitor and this was just an exchange of words which happen all day every day on a sports field.

Pietersen's celebration of his hundred was as nothing compared to that of Monty Panesar, who sprinted towards the boundary, after dismissing his boyhood hero Tendulkar.

Panesar had been equally jubilant when snaring the 'Little Master' for his first Test wicket on debut in Nagpur last year and Pietersen said: "Monty's a fantastic bowler.

"Sachin is the man he looks up to, the man he's really admired since he was a little boy so for him to get out the bloke he admires most in this world is fantastic for Monty."

Pietersen also paid tribute to England's inexperienced seamers who, in the first innings, bowled India out for 201 with the recalled James Anderson taking a Test-best five for 42.

"Everybody has said this is a young attack. They've turned up and it looks as if they've been bowling in Test cricket for 10 years.

"Chris Tremlett deserves a real good mention for the way he's come into his first Test match," added Pietersen of his Hampshire team-mate, who on Sunday had Dravid lbw.

India's attack was led by 21-year-old Singh who, in his first Test outside the sub-continent, took a Test-best five for 59.

"RP bowled well," Pietersen said. "He's a nice good swing bowler. The Indian bowlers have got some good skill and as soon as it starts swinging and seaming they are a very good bowling attack."