Zak Crawley made a blistering half-century.
Credit: Reuters Photo
England raced to 109 for one after bowling India out for 224 in the second day of the fifth and Test match at the Oval.
The hosts set about their reply in their usual, swashbuckling fashion, exemplified by an extraordinary "reverse hook" for six by Ben Duckett off Akash Deep and another six from a scoop off Mohammed Siraj.
They reached the 50 partnership in seven overs - the fastest England have ever managed in a test - but fell just short of the 100 as Duckett was caught behind reversing for 43, and was given a farewell "cuddle" by Akash as he walked off.
Opener Crawly (52 not out) and stand-in-skipper Ollie Pope (16 not out) were at the crease. when lunch was taken.
Earlier, Gus Atkinson took a five-wicket haul on his England return as India collapsed to 224 all out after resuming at 204 for six despite the hosts being without the injured Chris Woakes.
England, 2-1 up in the Anderson-Tendulkar series, saw paceman Woakes effectively ruled out of the rest of the match before play resumed at the Oval after he suffered a shoulder injury when diving in an attempt to prevent a boundary on Thursday.
That left England a bowler down, with substitutes permitted to field but not bat or bowl.
Atkinson, one of a trio of recalled England quicks following last week's drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford, responded with a superb return of 5-33 in 21.4 overs on his Surrey home ground after striking twice on Thursday.
India lost their last four wickets for just 20 more runs in 5.4 overs on Friday.
It was another example of what has undermined India all series, only on this occasion the late collapse came without the cushion of a big total established by their top-line batters and has left their hopes of levelling the series looking extremely slim.
(With inputs from Agencies)