'The Wall' is the only thing left standing for India
It was soon 25 for 3, Karthik going for just 15 to Ryan Sidebottom, Vaughan
taking a great catch to his left at silly mid-off. But than came Sachin Tendulkar
to the crease. In need of some runs 'The Little Master' set about the repair
job with his captain Rahul Dravid. Dravid and Tendulkar both moved on to
scores of 20* and 25* at lunch respectively.
They put on 65 more together after the break, Tendulkar reaching his fifty
from 141 balls. But 3 balls later he was gone, another victim of Sidebottom,
plumb LBW to a ball that did enough to straighten up. Sourav Ganguly came
and went for a brisk 11 from 20 balls, Sidebottom cleaning him up just before
tea.
Dravid continued his slow progress after the tea break, and moved onto fifty
with particular ease. For some reason the other batsmen just couldn't make
use of the good batting track like their skipper, and it was wicketkeeper
MS.Dhoni who was dismissed for just 5 by Ryan Sidebottom early in the 3rd
session. Dravid and Pathan then added 53 for the 7th wicket, Pathan hitting
2 fours and a six on his way to 38. But again just as things looked to be
turning another wicket fell. Pathan found Collingwood at 2nd slip, for a simple
catch and to leave India in the precarious position of 208/7.
Dravid then decided it was time he played some shots, hitting some fine
strokes off Panesar in particular. Panesar thought he had his man in the last
over of the day, but umpire Ian Howell was unmoved after a big shout from
all the England fielders. India closed the day on 228/7, with a lot of work to do,
in particular from Rahul Dravid. England will definitely be happy with how the
day went, and will be well on top if they can finish India off early on day two.
Scorecard
Lets see what happens here that too without Jumbo! 
