India struggled against England on the First day of Third test
New Delhi: Electing to bat, India were 273 for seven in their first innings at close on the opening day of the third cricket Test against England on first day of the third Test match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.
It was a complete lack of application from the Indian batsmen while Sehwag’s run-out can be attributed to his partner Gambhir’s poor judgement.
The shocker in the 10.1 overs seemed to be a huge blow as India failed to recover from it to find themselves in a tricky situation.
After the departure of Sehwag who was looking fluent during his innings of 23, India struggled with Cheteshwar Pujara, Kohli and Yuvraj who didn’t make significant contributions.
In-form Cheteshwar Pujara managed only 16 this time before Monty Panesar’s wrong ‘un foxed him as it knocked his middle-stump back.
Tendulkar had to walk in just a quarter hour before lunch and was tested by Cook with both spinners as well as pacers.
Gambhir’s Test century that has eluded him for nearly three years now didn’t come this time as he tried to cut a rising delivery from Panesar which was too close to his body and the thickish edge flew to Jonathan Trott at slip. The left-hander faced 124 balls and hit 12 boundaries.
Kohli was done in by Anderson as the talented batsman edged one to the slip cordon.
The hosts went into the tea session with the scoreboard reading 172 for four with Tendulkar batting on 46.
Just after the post-tea session started, Tendulkar clipped Finn towards long leg boundary to complete his 66th half century in Tests and acknowledged the cheers from the dressing room.
The fact that India struggled to put on partnerships and failed to convert the good starts mounted the pressure on the subsequent batsmen.
The wicket was a typical Eden Gardens wicket where there was something for both batsmen and bowlers. While Anderson got the ball to move both ways, there was turn and bounce on offer for Panesar.
As far as the Indians were concerned, it was conducive for batting as Tendulkar and Gambhir’s innings were prime examples but most of them save Sehwag were out playing poor shots.
