Rishabh Pant made 39 in his first Test innings since December 2022 following serious injuries sustained in a car accident before he nicked Mahmud through to the wicketkeeper playing a late cut, while opener Yashasvi Jaiswal hit 56.

But Ashwin struck 10 fours and two leg-side sixes to lead India’s counter-attack and reach his century in just 108 balls.

Jadeja, who ended 86 not out, was similarly positive, also hitting 10 fours and two sixes, as he targeted the straight boundaries.

“On a surface like this with a bit of spice, if you’re going after the ball, might as well go after it really hard,” Ashwin said.

“It’s the old Chennai surface with a bit of bounce and carry and the red soil pitch allows you to play a few shots.

“If you’re willing to just get in line and can give the ball a little bit of tonk, it really helps.”