Captain Virat Kohli once again led from the front in difficult circumstances as he made 43 not out to guide India to 110 for five in 36 overs at stumps on the third day of the first Test against England on Friday.

Karthik provided him good support with 18 not out as the duo put on an unbroken stand of 32 to steady the innings. The visitors need another 84 runs for victory with five wickets left.

India's top order once again disappointed as wickets kept falling regularly. Stuart Board sent back both the openers -- Murali Vijay (6) and Shikhar Dhawan (13) early on with the new ball.

KL Rahul was caught behind off Stokes after scoring just 13, while Ajinkya Rahane suffered another failure as he was caught behind off Sam Curran for two.

Ravichandran Ashwin's promotion to No. 6 failed as he became the third India batsman in the second innings to fall for 13 to leave the visitors reeling at 78 for five at one stage before Kohli and Karthik staged a mini recovery.

Earlier, Earlier, a solid half-century by Sam Curran propelled England to 180 runs at tea in their second innings on the third day, setting India a target of 194 to win the first Test.

Playing with confidence in only his second Test appearance, the 20-year-old Curran took the attack to the Indian bowlers who had earlier ripped out the heart of the English batting line by reducing the hosts to 87 for 7 shortly after lunch.

Curran struck two valuable partnerships, first with Adil Rashid for 48 runs, which was the biggest of the English innings, and then 41 with fast bowler Stuart Broad for the ninth wicket.

After a cautious start, Curran grew in confidence and clobbered Ravichandran Ashwin, who was the pick of the Indian bowling attack in the first innings, for a six and a four off consecutive balls in the session before tea.

He ended up as the top scorer for the hosts with 63 runs off 65 deliveries peppered with nine boundaries and two sixes. Broad ended with 11 as England limped to their second innings total of 180 at Edgbaston.

For the visitors, Ishant Sharma spearheaded the attack grabbing five wickets for 51 runs followed by Ashwin who grabbed three wickets in the morning session.