India vs England: Sehwag, Pujara give India honours on day 1

Sehwag and Tendulkar were both out to attacking shots, the latter trying to hit with the break and hitting it straight to fielder Samit Patel.

After a fruitless first session, England struck an early blow after lunch when Swann sent back Gambhir in the second over, inducing the batsman to cut unsuccessfully off the back foot and cleaning up his stumps.

The left-handed batsman had been fortunate a few balls earlier against the same bowler when wicketkeeper Matt Prior missed a leg side stumping chance.

However, Sehwag, at the other end, batted in his inimitable fashion with Pujara stoutly defending at the other end as the duo consolidated the innings after a strong start.

Pujara took his time after starting off with a fine extra cover drive off Swann for four. He was fortunate as his flick when he was on eight was mistimed and the ballooning ball fell just behind Anderson at mid on.

Sehwag almost gave a return catch to Swann three short of his ton before lofting the England off-spinner to long on for his 15th boundary to reach his century in just 90 balls and 163 minutes. It had 15 fours and a six.

Most of Sehwag's boundary hits were placed in the arc between cover and third man and he hit a six over long on off Bresnan.

It was Sehwag's first century since making 173 at this ground against New Zealand in November 2010 and his second against England in 11 years.

Statistical highlights on the opening day of the first Test between India and England, here today.

# Cheteshwar Pujara (98 not out) has registered his second fifty in Tests and his second highest innings in Tests, behind the 159 against New Zealand at Hyderabad in August 2012.

# Thanks to his aforesaid unbeaten innings, Pujara is averaging 52.62 in Tests - 421 runs in nine innings.

... contd.

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