VVS Laxman closed in on a century as India continued to make steady progress against Sussex in the tour match at Hove.

Laxman, resuming on 37 with his side 281 for three, advanced to 80 by lunch on the second day having added 76 in the morning session with the left-handed Yuvraj Singh (31).

Yuvraj was given a chance to shine on a good batting pitch after skipper Rahul Dravid, 57 overnight, chose to rest a minor knee injury but with the problem not being considered serious.

Jason Lewry and James Kirtley opened Sussex's attack in bright sunshine and Laxman went on the back foot to smash Lewry to the cover boundary in the left-armer's second over.

Laxman moved to his half-century in confident fashion by pulling Kirtley for two having compiled seven fours from 76 balls and the shot also raised India's 300.

Kirtley worked up a lively pace down the slope and Yuvraj survived an lbw appeal before Laxman went on the back foot to crack the former England fast bowler past the slips for four.

Kirtley, needing one more victim to reach the milestone of 600 first-class wickets, gave way to medium-pacer Robin Martin-Jenkins down the slope as India added only 30 in 14 overs in the first hour.

Laxman went on the attack to twice on-drive medium-pacer Carl Hopkinson to the boundary and Martin-Jenkins was punished for dropping one short when Yuvraj square drove him to the fence.

Martin-Jenkins, however, gave little away in an accurate spell and he sent down a maiden to Laxman as the interval approached.

Yuvraj went on the front foot to on-drive Saqlain Mushtaq to the fence, and the former Pakistani Test off-spinner conceded another boundary when Laxman played him through mid-wicket with the ball being badly mis-fielded by Chris Nash.

This shot also completed the 50 stand and at lunch the tourists were well placed at 357 for three with Laxman 80 not out and Yuvraj on 31.