Ravichandran Ashwin praised England's batters after the tourists posted 246 all out on day one of the First Test in Hyderabad.

Experienced spinner Ashwin took 3-68 and fellow slow bowler Ravindra Jadeja also claimed a trio of scalps but skipper Ben Stokes' 70 helped lift Brendon McCullum's side from 155-7 to a more competitive total.

In reply, the hosts raced to 119-1 from their 23 overs thanks to opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's unbeaten 76, which featured nine fours and three sixes.

Ashwin told TNT Sports: "It was interesting in the first session, there was a bit of moisture in the pitch which helped the spin.

"You can't really tell straight away but there was enough there in the first session to help us. Then it just slowed down, there wasn't much carry or pace.

"But we were extremely consistent so we were happy. I think 240 was a competitive total, that's how we felt. It was probably 20 or 30 more runs than we would have liked to concede.

"But the start that our openers gave us was brilliant. If someone can kick on tomorrow and get us a century, we will be in a very good position."

Ashwin, 37, added: "That is the beauty of someone coming in and playing at this level, he [Jaiswal] has no baggage. He has had a lot of IPL success and a wonderful start to his first-class career.

"He has taken to Test cricket like a duck to water and he hasn't put a foot wrong. He has a very carefree approach and I certainly enjoyed watching some of the shots that he has played. He reminds me of watching Rishabh Pant, those two could be fun if they bat together!"

England opener Ben Duckett, who put on an enterprising 55-run partnership with Zak Crawley at the top of the order said Stokes' troops have plenty to play for heading into day two.

The Nottinghamshire left-hander said: "They played really well at the end there.

"Obviously, you want to make a few more but on that pitch it was quite tricky. There was consistent spin throughout the day.

"We were really happy. On another day, we take three or four wickets and it is a completely different day. We take two or three wickets in the morning and I can't see that pitch get any better."

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