Rumeli Dhar and Amita Sharma posted maiden half-centuries to help India clinch a draw against England [Images] on the fourth and final day of the first Test in Leicester on Friday.

Dhar scored 50 and Sharma hit 57 to save their team from the jaws of defeat after their top order collapsed with scoreboard reading just 74 for 6, at one stage, in their chase of 271 in 70 overs.

The Indians closed at 187 for eight in their second innings after England declared at 345 for 8 and fell short of 83 runs to settle for their 10th draw in 11 meetings.

The duo also gave a feeble hope of pulling off a win at one stage after their mainstays Monica Sumra, captain Mithali Raj and Anjum Chopra failed to score.

They put on 77 for the seventh wicket, which ended with the dismissal of Dhar, who also struck 10 boundaries, at the hands of Caroline Atkins.

Jenny Gunn, Laura Marsh and Laura Newton took two wickets each.

Earlier, Beth Morgan gave the hosts an early breakthrough by removing opener Karu Jain leg before wicket for 24.

The second and final Test is slated at Taunton at the end of the month after the conclusion of the five-match one-day series.