Impressive half-centuries from VVS Laxman (75) and wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra (50 not out) enabled India to recover from an inauspicious start to reach 301 for five at the close.

India fielded six of the 11 who featured in their Test victory at Headingley, while Derbyshire named a virtual second XI, leaving out skipper Dominic Cork and overseas star Michael Di Venuto plus a clutch of other regular first-teamers.

India's acting captain Rahul Dravid had no hesitation in deciding to bat after winning the toss but the tourists struggled initially on a pitch which assisted the new-ball bowlers.

However, Laxman was the mainstay after India had slipped to 62 for three against an inexperienced Derbyshire attack.

Seamer Neil Gunter made the initial breakthrough when, with the total on 21, he dismissed Virender Sehwag, who was bowled offering no shot.

Sanjay Bangar and Shiv Sunder Das moved the total comfortably on to 58 before the former edged an expansive drive off Jason Kerr and was well caught at second slip by Dominic Hewson after scoring 17.

Das (18) followed four runs later when he was yorked by medium-pacer Mathew Dowman but Laxman and Wasim Jaffer joined forces to repair the innings with a fine stand of 102 for the fourth wicket.

Laxman, in particular, was at his elegant best with a series of fine boundaries and Jaffer weighed in with a useful 49, which included a six and nine fours, before he edged Kerr to wicketkeeper Chris Warn.

Laxman and Ratra added a composed 69 for the fifth wicket before Laxman finally made a mistake soon after tea when he attempted to cut Kerr but edged a catch which was well-taken by Warn. He had batted six minutes over three hours, faced 146 balls and hit 15 fours.

Dravid came in at the fall of the fifth wicket and both he and Ratra consolidated the tourists' position with an unbroken stand of 68.

Ratra completed his half-century just before the close while Dravid looked in ominously good form by finishing the day unbeaten on 40.