Crawley and Ben Duckett successfully navigated a challenging first hour, despite the India seamers failing to capitalise on the movement due to bowling too short.
The England openers added 64 runs for the first wicket. Kuldeep's introduction in the 18th over altered the course of the day. On 27, Duckett miscued an attempted loft down the ground and was caught by Shubman Gill, who ran back from cover.
Another nervous innings from Ollie Pope resulted in him charging at Kuldeep and being stumped in the final over before lunch. The score of 100-2 represented a solid morning for England.
Zak Crawley, England's leading run-scorer since last year's Ashes, played beautiful drives and a graceful loft off Ashwin for six. He was lucky to survive being caught at bat-pad off Kuldeep, with India failing to review. After missing another drive at Kuldeep's delivery, England began to unravel.
Bairstow faced 18 balls and scored 29 runs, hitting two sixes. He also dropped a catch and was eventually caught behind off Kuldeep. Root was given out lbw to Ravindra Jadeja, while Stokes was dismissed lbw to Kuldeep. England's batting lineup was severely weakened as a result.
Tom Hartley was caught out, Mark Wood edged to slip, and Ben Foakes attempted to guide the tail but was bowled after playing a sweep shot. Anderson was caught at mid-wicket.