Fifties by KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja helped India take a handy first-innings lead of 175 during the opening test against England at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Friday.
India, who are yet to lose a Test series at home since 2012, ended day two on 421-7 in their reply to England's 246 in the first innings.
Jadeja was on 81 at the close of play having added 63 runs with Axar Patel, who was batting on 35.
After India resumed day two on 119-1, England kick started proceedings with part-time spinner Joe Root, who sent dangerous-looking Yashasvi Jaiswal (80) packing in his first over.
Rahul got a reprieve when wicketkeeper Ben Foakes dropped a tough chance after the batter, yet to score a run, had edged Root.
Root was on the receiving end again when Shubman Gill miscued a shot but Ben Stokes, fielding at mid-off, lost sight of the ball against the sun.
However, in a surprising move, Root was taken off the attack after four overs bearing in mind the fact that England didn’t bowl him on Thursday when Jaiswal was toying with the spinners.
Tom Hartley dismissed Gill (23) for his first wicket in international cricket.
Rahul smashed couple of sixes in a Rehan Ahmed over to put India in the lead and formed half-century partnerships with Shreyas Iyer (35) and Jadeja to put the home side in the driving seat.
Leg-spinner Ahmed dismissed Iyer with Hartley taking the catch in the deep.
The roles were reversed as the English duo combined again to send Rahul back to the hut, who threw his bat in disgust after pulling a Hartley half-tracker to Ahmed when a hundred seemed on the cards.
Jadeja, who added 68 runs with Srikar Bharat (41) for the sixth wicket, celebrated his eventful half-century twirling the bat in his signature sword-dance style.
The all-rounder was twice adjudged out — first caught at short leg off Jack Leach and then lbw to Root — but both decisions were overturned on review.
Jadeja was also involved in an almighty mix-up that led to Ravichandran Ashwin's run-out after both batters ended up at the same end.