India take control on day one
India are well on top after dominant first day of second Test in Mohali
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Friday, 19, Dec 2008 10:33
A century from opener Gautam Gambhir has put India in charge after a truncated first day of the second Test against England in Mohali.
The tourists' bowers toiled on a difficult pitch but failed to make a breakthrough as Gambhir hit an unbeaten 106 opposite number three Rahul Dravid (65 not out) to give the hosts a solid start as bad light stopped play with the score on 179-1.
After a rain delay held up the start the Indian batsmen were watchful in their play, taking few risks against an England attack bolstered by the return of fast bowler Stuart Broad.
And things looked bright early on for Kevin Pietersen's men when the Nottinghamshire seamer dismissed danger man Virender Sehwag for a duck with just his third delivery.
However, this was as good as it got for England as Dravid - nicknamed 'the Wall' - joined Gambhir at the crease and immediately set about rebuilding.
Dravid took more than 150 deliveries to reach his half-century as England's bowlers achieved plenty of maidens without threatening a wicket.
Broad was arguably England's best chance of a breakthrough as he sent down seven maidens from his 16 overs, returning figures of 1-45.
James Anderson (0-29) and Andrew Flintoff (0-31) gave very little away but there was no joy in terms of a wicket. Similarly, spinners Monty Panesar (0-41) and Graeme Swann (0-30) were also frustrated.
England must win the second Test to square the two-match series, having lost the first Test in Chennai by six wickets after the heroics of Sachin Tendulkar and Sehwag on the final two days.