First day's play

India at stumps were 311/5. Not a very good day for India per se. It did have its share of brilliances. But on the whole one has to accept that the day did belong to the debutant Jason Krejza. He has made small yet sure inroads into the Indian top order. He had a fizz about his bowling. India took him light at its own peril. He ended up being the wrecker-in-chief for Australia picking up Sehwag, Dravid and Laxman. He was prepared to give the ball some air and he got some purchase out of the fairly benign pitch. He seemed to be unfazed by the breathtaking batting display by two of India's greatest. Sachin and Sehwag did tonk him around the park a bit, but in the end Krejza was quite brilliant for his captain.

Being a finger spinner one would expect him to be far less expensive. But any captain would love to buy a few wickets. It was a surprise in the morning when Ponting selected Krejza ahead of Clark. Although Clark has not had the greatest of series, he has by far been Australia's most economic bowler over the past year. Ponting realizing wickets are more important than economy took a chance that paid off.

Another player of the day was none other than the little master himself. Another feather in the cap of this maestro. He played some breathtaking shots against the fast bowlers and the spinners alike. He made a stroke filled 109 before being dismissed by Mitchell Johnson. He and Laxman put on a magnificent display to a very meager crowd in a large stadium. This is Tendulkar's fourth hundred in Nagpur. Seems like he cant put a foot wrong in Nagpur.

Virender Sehwag made yet another blitzkrieg 66 before falling to the rookie off spinner. Laxman also made a stylish 64 before getting out. Debutant M. Vijay also looked quite comfortable before he was gobbled up by Brad Haddin off Shane Watson during a fiery over. The opening partners put on a quickfire 98 run stand before M. Vijay nicked the ball behind. Australia managed to plug things back with Jason Krejza.

Arjun Calidas