Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja scored centuries as India made 326-5 after England's remarkable start on day one of the third Test in Rajkot.
England were asked to field after losing the toss. Within the first hour, they had the hosts at 33-3, and could have made it 47-4 if Joe Root had held an edge at slip when Rohit was on 27.
Rohit was reprieved and went on to score an elegant 131 in a fourth-wicket partnership of 204 with Jadeja, who was promoted to number five on his return from a hamstring injury.
After Rohit fell, debutant Sarfaraz Khan dominated a stand of 77 with Jadeja. Sarfaraz, who has a first-class average of almost 70, scored a sparkling 62 from only 66 balls.
With Jadeja on 99 and Sarfaraz eager to take a single, Jadeja sent him back, but it was too late to beat Mark Wood's direct hit from mid-on.
Jadeja reached his hundred off the next ball, but Sarfaraz's wicket was handed to England just as the day looked set to slip away.
On his return to England’s side after missing the second Test, Wood was the pick of the bowlers with 3-69, well supported by the miserly James Anderson.
Although India may have had marginally the better of the day, England fought hard. This is set to be another gripping contest in a series perfectly level at 1-1.
England is left to wonder: What might have been?
Root's dismissal of Rohit could prove to be a pivotal moment, although there is still a long way to go in this match and the series.
India, who made four changes to the side that won the second Test, were tentative as England dominated the first hour. The next two batsmen were Sarfaraz and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel. Both were making their debuts.
Rohit had to fight off a lbw to Anderson and survived a possible leg before a call from Rehan Ahmed. He and Jadeja forged a partnership that could prove decisive.
England had taken advantage of the pitch's stickiness in the early stages. But as the day progressed, the surface began to look more and more batting-friendly
With temperatures set to reach 35 degrees during the match, the pitch seems sure to deteriorate. The question is to what extent and how swiftly.
Despite the heat, England maintained their efforts and kept India from getting away. However, in the second Test, England failed to respond adequately to India's first-innings total and may face a similar challenge this time.
The old heads still prevail
This is a changing Indian batting line-up. It is the first time in 25 years that they have played a series without at least one of the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara.
After the early dismissals of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rajat Patidar, Rohit had to step up as the senior batsman and captain. He had a stroke of luck when he attempted to drive Tom Hartley through the leg-side, with Root moving slowly and low to his left. But then he played a captain's innings.
He removed his pads with rubber wrists after barely scoring a run in front of square on the off side. He smashed three sixes over leg-side off the spinners and reached his 11th Test hundred by cutting Ahmed and celebrating in subdued fashion.
Jadeja, the premier multi-format all-rounder in world cricket, does not possess Rohit's grace, but he is playing on his home ground. The batsman hit the ball off his pads, drove down the ground, hit a six off Root, and got lucky with a top edge off Wood for another six.
Rohit was building momentum when he fell for Wood's short-ball plan, making way for Sarfaraz. Sarfaraz lived up to his reputation with sweeps and lofted drives off the spinners.
The mix-up with Jadeja was a huge bonus for England late in the day. Jadeja's celebrations lacked his usual gusto. But his presence remains a threat to England going into day two.
Wood keeps going for England
England's decision to play two seamers for the first time in the series was justified. Anderson posed a constant threat, and Wood bowled tirelessly after his initial success with the new ball.
Jaiswal, who made a double century in the second Test, was uncomfortable with Wood's pace and edged to first slip. Gill, who scored a century in Visakhapatnam, looked nervous and was dismissed for a duck.
England was dominant after Hartley's short ball stuck in the pitch and Patidar chipped it to Ben Duckett at cover. It's unclear how Hartley might have bowled had Root held Rohit, but from there the Lancashire man struggled with poor deliveries.
Root has not taken a wicket since the first Test, and England may be relying too heavily on his off-spin. Ahmed bowled a long spell after tea and was the most effective, but unfortunately went wicketless.
During the match, Ben Stokes, who was captaining his 100th Test, discussed his plans with the team. At one point, Anderson had four fielders on the leg side, and Wood's efforts paid off when Rohit fell for the bouncer trap.
Despite his significant contribution, Wood had enough energy left to run out Sarfaraz. England tried unsuccessfully to dismiss nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav with the second new ball, which was three overs old on Friday.