Half-centuries to captain Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane helped India build a 260-run lead and seize control on the third day of the opening test against the West Indies on Saturday.

After bowling the hosts out for 222 before lunch, India set about extending its 75-run first innings lead but lost top order wickets at regular intervals to stall its momentum.

Spinner Roston Chase (2-69) snared both openers, having Mayank Agarwal trapped lbw for 16 before bowling KL Rahul for 38.

India's Ajinkya Rahane plays a shot against West Indies during day three of the first Test cricket match at the Sir Vivian Richards cricket ground in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (AP PhotoRicardo Mazalan)

India's Ajinkya Rahane plays a shot against West Indies during day three of the first Test cricket match at the Sir Vivian Richards cricket ground in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (AP PhotoRicardo Mazalan)

In the next over, Kemar Roach bowled Cheteshwar Pujara for 25 to reduce India to 81-3 in the 31st over.

Kohli (51 not out) and Rahane (53 not out) then combined for a watchful 104-run stand to steady the tourists innings,

Rahane scored his second fifty of the match off 128 balls with three fours, shortly before Kohli brought up his 21st half-century in 76 tests with a boundary off Miguel Cummins in the penultimate over of the day.

India's captain Virat Kohli, right, is greeted by teammate Ajinkya Rahane after scoring a half century against West Indies during day three of the first Test cricket match at the Sir Vivian Richards cricket ground in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (AP PhotoRicardo Mazalan)

India's captain Virat Kohli, right, is greeted by teammate Ajinkya Rahane after scoring a half century against West Indies during day three of the first Test cricket match at the Sir Vivian Richards cricket ground in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (AP PhotoRicardo Mazalan)

The West Indies resumed Saturday at its overnight score of 189-8, still trailing India by 108 runs. Captain Jason Holder made a composed 39, sharing a 41-run partnership with tailender Cummins who faced 45 balls for no runs — the second longest innings for no score in Test cricket — in his 96-minute cameo before he was bowled by Ravindra Jadeja.

Ishant Sharma finished with 5-43 for his eighth five-wicket haul in 90 tests.

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India's Ajinkya Rahane celebrates scoring half a century against West Indies during day three of the first Test cricket match at the Sir Vivian Richards cricket ground in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (AP PhotoRicardo Mazalan)

India's Ajinkya Rahane celebrates scoring half a century against West Indies during day three of the first Test cricket match at the Sir Vivian Richards cricket ground in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (AP PhotoRicardo Mazalan)

 West Indies' wicketkeeper Shai Hope celebrates the dismissal of India's KL Rahul, bowled by Roston Chase, during day three of the first Test cricket match at the Sir Vivian Richards cricket ground in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (AP PhotoRicardo Mazalan)

West Indies' wicketkeeper Shai Hope celebrates the dismissal of India's KL Rahul, bowled by Roston Chase, during day three of the first Test cricket match at the Sir Vivian Richards cricket ground in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (AP PhotoRicardo Mazalan)