Kolkata: Brilliant bowling from James Anderson and Monty Panesar put England in a very good position against India on the first day of the third Test match being played at the Eden Gardens here today. India were struggling at 273/7 at stumps.

For India, out-of-form Sachin Tendulkar played a resolute innings and top scored with 76 runs. English bowlers throughout the day ensured that the strong Indian batting line-up does not run away with the game like what happened in Ahmedabad. Their best bowler was Anderson who finished with 3-68. Panesar bowled 35 overs in the day and took two important wickets.

Earlier, Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat this was the third consecutive time that Dhoni has won the toss.

There was only one change in the Indian squad, with pacer Ishant Sharma coming in for out of form Harbhajan Singh.

England made two changes to their squad, Ian Bell came in for Jonny Bairstow and Steven Finn replaced Stuart Broad in the playing eleven.

Indian openers who have been struggling to put up a good stand did well in the initial over to see the new ball off. Just when Virender Sehwag was starting to look threatening he lost his wicket in a terrible mix-up. Cheteshwar Pujara then walked in to bat and looked good.

Gambhir at the other end looked focused and avoided ant rash strokes. England’s last match hero Monty Panesar then got into act and got Pujara misjudging a length to tattle his stumps. Sachin Tendulkar then came out with India at 88/2.

After lunch, Sachin looked more settled and played some good strokes. Gambhir hasn’t scored a century in two years and he once again missed the opportunity trying to play a cut shot of Panesar. Jonathan Trott standing at first slip took a sharp chance to dismiss the Indian opener.

James Anderson then got into act and bowled a superb spell, he got the reverse swing going and troubled both Sachin and new-comer Kohli. He was rewarded for his persistence when Kohli edged an out-swinger to the second slip.

With India reeling at 4-136, Yuvraj Singh and Sachin put together the partnership of the day. Yuvraj came in with an attacking mindset and that encouraged even Sachin to bring out his shots. After Tea, both batsmen started playing their shots with Yuvraj lifting Panesar for a six. Sachin at the other end completed his fifty, his first in ten innings.

Graeme Swann who was struggling to get his line right induced Yuvraj to play a bad stroke which led to the left-handers dismissal. Sachin followed him as Anderson swung a ball away that took the edge caught by diving Prior.

MS Dhoni and R Ashwin put together 38 runs before Ashwin was cleaned up by Anderson in the penultimate over of the day. Dhoni (22*) and Zaheer Khan (0*) will resume the innings for India tomorrow.

Brief Score:

India: 273/7 (Tendulkar 76, Gambhir 60, Anderson 3-68, Panesar 2-74)   

By Indian Sports News Network