Chiragh, a teammate of Gaganjeet Bhullar and Anirban Lahiri at the 2006 Asian Games, when they won the team silver, closed the round with a satisfying eagle on the 18th after three birdies and a bogey on the front-nine.
Chiragh lived up to the adage 'beware the sick golfer' when he battled flu to card a round of 68 that was highlighted by an eagle-three on the 18th hole.
Abhijit Chadha (74) was tied 59th, while Himmat Rai and Ajeetesh Sandhu with rounds of 75 each were tied 71st.
Bhullar stands a chance to qualify for the WGC-HSBC Champions in China in October if he can remain in the top-two position on the Order of Merit before the cut-off date on October 14.
Thailand's rising star Thitiphun Chuayprakong birdied the last two holes for a six-under 66 to take a one-shot lead in the opening round.