Inspired England took control of the opening Test against India on Friday after debutant off spinner Graeme Swann grabbed two wickets in his first over in Test cricket.

The 29-year-old Swann dismissed opener Gautam Gambhir (19) with his third delivery and number three Rahul Dravid (3) with his sixth to reduce India to 37 for three.

Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar and medium-pacer Andrew Flintoff then struck in quick succession to dismiss VVS Laxman (24) and Sachin Tendulkar (37) respectively after the pair had raised 61 for the fourth wicket.

Fast bowler Steve Harmison had birthday boy Yuvraj Singh caught at second slip by Flintoff for 14, to leave India in tatters at 155 for six in reply to England's first-innings 316.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (24) was at the crease at stumps with Harbhajan Singh on 13.

Wicketkeeper Matt Prior struck his fifth Test fifty to guide the visitors past the 300-mark before England were all out 40 minutes after lunch.