India Vs England 3rd Test Day 1: English bowlers trouble Indian batsmen

The first day of the third test between India and England belonged to the Brits as they restricted the sub-continent team to 273/7 when the umpire knocked of the bails. India had their moments when Gautam Gambhir and Sachin Tendulkar scored half-centuries, but failed to reach the three-figure mark, credit to the English bowlers.

The India-England test series lies in a state of balance as both the sides have won one game each. The track at the Eden Gardens was proclaimed as ‘ugly’ by Indian captain, MS Dhoni and it played flat till India reached 80/1. The English bowlers then produced a combined effort to finish the day with 7 wickets. The shot selection of the Indian players did not help India’s cause either.

Both the sides made changes to their sides as the Indian line-up displayed the return of Ishant Sharma and the exit of Harbhajan Singh. England brought in Ian Bell and Steven Finn replacing Jonny Bairstow and Stuart Broad. James Anderson was the pick of the English bowlers as he picked up three wickets including the prized wicket of a resolute Sachin Tendulkar.

Sehwag was the first to depart after being run-out, which was the result of a mix-up with Gambhir. The Delhi south-paw then pulled up his socks and scored a half-century before being caught by Prior of Panesar. The rest of the Indian batsman failed to forge partnerships as the English bowlers took wickets at regular intervals.

The crowd roared when the Little Master reached his half-century, which had come after a long time. With day 1 coming to end, England are in the driver’s seat as India fight to change the status quo of the match. MS Dhoni is present at the crease with Zaheer Khan. Day 2 will tell us whether England wraps up the Indian innings quickly or the Indian batsmen make them work hard for results.

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