They lost the big wicket of Virender Sehwag right after play started, caught behind without scoring to the impressive Stuart Broad, who had replaced Steve Harmison in the line-up after returning from injury. James Anderson at the other end was pitching it up to extract maximum swing but Gambhir and Dravid survived that early burst.

Mellowed Gambhir

With Dravid battling more than just the England attack — he had some personal demons to conquer as well — Gambhir showed his own ability to play with soft hands and a straight bat. There were, of course, a few jabs through third-man, but overall he was most dominant through the covers. He played both Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann with the spin and used his feet to good effect, stepping down the track to smash the latter for a six over long-off.

Swann might have had him twice — on 70, he was dropped by Paul Collingwood at slip and, one run later, he survived a strong leg-before appeal that went through with the arm. Apart from the little hiccups, Gambhir remained fluent, especially between his half-century and the time he reached the 90s. He has had a habit of throwing away starts, and the Delhi left-hander, bogged down by a tight field, was growing edgy. A lucky splice through the off-side took him to 99, before a quick two on the on-side brought up his hundred off 214 balls with eleven boundaries and a six.

Luckless England

... contd.