India will be the more disappointed teams after the end of the first day’s play against England in the first Test at Lord’s. India let England come into the game after picking up the openers early on.
However, the biggest set back was the return of Zaheer Khan to the dressing room for what looked like a pulled hamstring. The official comment from the Indian management was that Zaheer had a bout of cramp. He is crucial to India’s chances in this series and everyone would be hoping that he returns tomorrow morning.
Only 49.2 overs were bowled as the last part of the day was lost to rain and the home side were 127/2 at stumps. Jonathan Trott, who had played a watchful innings, was not out on 58 and Kevin Pietersen was not out on 22.
India had only themselves to blame after having dropped catches behind the wicket for Trott and a run out chance for Andrew Strauss. Strauss eventually departed for 22, inevitably off the bowling of Zaheer, but Trott made most of the chances. Rahul Dravid was the culprit on both the occasions, dropping Trott off the first ball from Harbhajan Singh and then later on failed to go for an edge off the bowling of Zaheer.
However, Trott was watchful after those reprieves and showed why he has been such a success in the longer format of the game over the last year or so. He calmly mastered Praveen Kumar’s swing in the afternoon session and was ably supported by Pietersen, who curbed his natural instincts.
The overcast conditions made the decision easy for MS Dhoni, who chose to field first after having won the toss. India had not started well in away series the last few occasions and a good start was crucial. Zaheer and Praveen opened the bowling and swung the ball right from the first over.
England were cautious from the start and the first runs came only in the fourth over. And when it seemed that they had gone past a tough phase, Zaheer rapped Alastair Cook on the pads, by breaching through his defense. Strauss struggled for his runs and then succumbed while going for the pull. The shot took a top edge and was safely pouched by Ishant Sharma at fine leg.
Tomorrow’s play is crucial to determine how this Test would go. The first session is important and India will need Zaheer to get through the English batting lineup.