Hyder had now been joined by Tippoo, who had not been present at the last battle, and his force numbered 80,000 men, while the English were 11,000 strong.
"I did not see the battle, as we were, at the time, occupied in escorting a convoy of provisions from Madras.

The fight was much better contested than the previous battle had been.

Hyder was well acquainted with the ground, and made skilful use of his opportunities, by fortifying all the points at which he could be attacked.

The fight lasted eight hours.

At last Sir Eyre Coote's first division turned the enemy's left flank, by the capture of the village of Pillalore; while his second turned their right, and Hyder was obliged to fall back.