The England Cricket Team made a great start in the second test match against India at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, but, couldn’t quite capitalize on that start and let India bounce back in the match.
The wicket at the Wankhede Stadium was a rank turner and it was expected to turn right from the first day. Alastair Cook lost the toss again and England had to bowl first again.
There were a couple of changes in the England team. Ian Bell had flown back home. So, on his place, Jonny Bairstow was included in the XI. The second replacement was an obvious one. Considering the nature of the wicket, England had to play with two spinners and that’s what they did. Tim Bresnan made way for the left arm orthodox spinner Monty Panesar.
England was off to a brilliant start. There was some swing in the air in the first hour and Anderson made good use of it. He bowled a perfect in swinger to the left handed Gautam Gambhir and trapped him in front of the leg stump. The first wicket was down when the score was only four and India was under a bit of pressure.
Sehwag and Pujara played a few shots and took India past 50. But, when the score was 52, Sehwag tried to play Panesar through the leg side, but, he was beaten in the air and was clean bowled.
Sachin Tendulkar was knocked over by a beauty from Panesar. Kohli looked good during his brief stay at the crease, but, he didn’t manage to keep a drive along the ground and was caught in the covers off the bowling of Panesar.
Yuvraj was beaten by a marginally spinning delivery from Swann and got clean bowled. India was in a spot of bother at 119 for 5, but, Pujara along with the skipper MS Dhoni provided the steadiness to the innings. These two added 50 runs for the sixth wicket. Dhoni became the fourth player to be dismissed by Panesar as he edged one to Swann at Gully.
R Ashwin came to bat no. 8 and he looked pretty comfortable at the crease. He added 97 runs with Pujara for the seventh wicket and the partnership is still unbeaten.
At the end of the first day’s play, the score of India was 266 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. Pujara and Ashwin were not out on 114 and 60 respectively.