 England
were slow on the first day of the first Test match against India but they
would be in a much happier position than India. The early storm has been weathered
off, and England were 127 for the loss of two wickets before rains meant
that only 49.2 overs were possible on the opening day of the game.
India decided to field first after winning the toss, having seen a tinge of
green and the overhead cloud conditions. The English openers found it difficult
to get going as the first three overs were bowled maidens. This meant that the
side struggled to score runs and it was not before long that the in-form Alastair Cook was sent packing by the guile of Zaheer Khan.
Cook did not score too much but more importantly, the English side weren't scoring
too many.
However, the problem was that the Indian side was struggling with the lines and
lengths as well, making it difficult for their own self. The Indians bowled too
many wide enough for the batsmen to let alone and that meant that they did not
trouble the batsmen too much.
Strauss was joined by England's man in form, Jonathon Trott and the
pair added a good set of runs, seeing off till the luncheon break. However,
post lunch, it was the turn of Zaheer Khan to get Strauss out with a bouncer.
It was well wide of the off-stump and Strauss failed to put the shot down.
Unfortunately for the Indians, Zaheer Khan got injured in his third spell, not
too much before the day had to be called off due to rain.
England saw Trott get to his half century while Kevin Pietersen stuck it out there
for an unbeaten 22. However, the biggest news was that Zaheer Khan may have injured
his hamstring, something that would be the cause for a huge problem. Usually,
hamstring injuries cause a lot of damage and don't recover before four to six
weeks, which means that the side will have it difficult to get going.
If Zaheer is indeed suffering from a hamstring injury and is ruled out of the
game and the series, it will mean that he will need to be replaced by someone
as proficient and things stand, there is no other bowler like that.
India will hope that Zaheer Khan is fit enough to play in this game.
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