Rohit Sharma scored a scintillating 161, as India ended Day 1 of the second Test against England in a strong position at 300/6 on Saturday.
The home side made three changes to their playing XI by including debutant Axar Patel, left arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj in place of Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Nadeem and Jasprit Bumrah.
The visitors on the other hand rested James Anderson, Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer and Dom Bess for Stuart Broad, Ben Foakes, Olly Stone and Moeen Ali respectively.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, India lost young Shubman Gill leg before wicket to Olly Stone in the second over, trapped in front after choosing not to offer a shot.
Rohit Sharma along with Cheteshwar Pujara stitched together a solid 85 run stand for the second wicket, before the latter was caught at slip by Ben Stokes off Jack Leach for 21.
A few deliveries later, skipper Virat Kohli was bowled through the gate after going for an expansive drive off Moeen Ali for a duck, leaving India in a spot of bother at 86/3.
Rohit along Ajinkya Rahane kept the England bowlers at bay with a brilliant 162 run stand for the fourth wicket. The star Indian opener in the 71st over survived a close stumping call off Jack Leach with wicket keeper Ben Foakes dislodging the bails off in a flash, but he was given the benefit of the doubt by the third umpire.
However, Leach in the very next over got his man as the 33 year old right hander mistimed the slog-sweep to give a simple catch to Moeen Ali at deep square leg for a superb 161. His knock came off 231 balls with 18 fours and 2 sixes.
Rahane after surviving a controversial DRS call was bowled by Moeen Ali in the very next over for 67.
Rishabh Pant and Ravi Ashwin added 35 runs for the sixth wicket stand before the latter was caught at forward short leg by Ollie Pope off Joe Root.
Pant and Axar Patel ensured that the home side did not lose any more wickets, eventually ending the day at 300 for 6.
Stumps at the end of Day 1- India 300/6. ( Rohit Sharma 161, Ajinkya Rahane 67, Rishabh Pant 33*), Jack Leach 2/78.