James Anderson struck twice in a relentless spell before Shubman Gill rode his luck to complete a much-needed half-century to take India to 130 for four at lunch on day three of the second Test against England here on Sunday.
Resuming their second innings at 28 for no loss, India scored 102 runs in the session with the loss of Rohit Sharma (12), Yashasvi Jaiswal (17), Shreyas Iyer (29) and Rajat Patidar (9).
Gill (60 batting off 78 balls) and Axar Patel (2 batting) were holding fort at the break with India leading by 273 runs.
The Punjab batter survived two close DRS calls in successive overs soon after his arrival into the middle to post his first fifty plus score in 13 innings.
The first 30 minutes of the morning session belonged to Anderson, who continues to lord over batters at 41 years of age.
The veteran pacer first removed Rohit with an unplayable ball that seamed away a touch to knock the Indian skipper’s off stump in his first over of the day before getting the in-form Jaiswal caught at first slip with a full ball in his following over.
The first innings double centurion went through with the loose drive and Joe Root did the rest at first slip. Gill and Iyer, both struggling for runs, found themselves in the middle and ended up sharing an 81-run stand off 112 balls.