India took an all important lead against England in the four match Test series. The first match of a long series is always important and India displayed some efficient play to beat the visitors. The match saw some impressing individual performances from both teams.

The focus will now shift from Ahmedabad to Mumbai, the venue for the second Test. Going by the way the first Test match went, one can expect an exciting contest. England by the way they played in their second innings showed that they are up for a fight and won’t be pushovers.
Let’s have a look at some of the players who can make the difference for their respective sides in the Mumbai Test.

India:

Cheteshwar Pujara: He was brilliant in the first Test and remained unbeaten in both innings. India needed one of their top four batsmen to play a big innings and Pujara did exactly that. He in the match hit his first double hundred and showed that he is capable of play a big knock. England team will have to find a way to remove him from the pitch.

Virender Sehwag: Sehwag scored a century in Ranji Trophy prior to the first Test and played a scintillating innings in the Test. He looked dangerous right from the front and showed that he is reday to grind it out in the middle. He is a man who can take a game away in a session and made his intentions clear in the very first innings.

Pragyan Ojha: If Pujara was the man for India with the bat, then it was Ojha who dominated the proceedings with the ball. He took nine wickets in the match and looked mighty impressive doing that. He took crucial wickets at important stages of the match and architected India’s win.

Umesh Yadav: Yadav came in to bowl very late in the first innings and looked dangerous. He got the reverse swing going in both the innings and controlled the ball well. He by far was the fastest man from both teams and looked threatening.

England:

Alastair Cook: He was the best batsman from the English team and looked most comfortable against the Indian bowlers. In the first innings he was deceived in the air and got out after getting a start. In the next innings he made sure that he plays a long innings. He was the man responsible for bringing England back in with a chance.

Matt Prior: Apart from Cook, Prior looked most comfortable playing the spinners. He played well in both innings and showed that quick runs can be scored against Indian bowling attack. He was involved in a very good partnership with Cook in the second innings and truly deserved a century. 

Graeme Swann: Swann bowled very well in the first innings and would have got more wickets if the fielders would have supported him. He took five wickets and showed that he can be dangerous on turning tracks. Swann will play an important role for England in the coming three Test matches.

James Anderson: Anderson had a tough outing in the first match and could only take one wicket in the 27 overs that he bowled. He is a world class bowler and has the ability to do well in any conditions. He can be very dangerous with the new ball and the Indians will be very well aware of that fact.       

By Indian Sports News Network