Cricket: Monty keeps hosts India in check

Pujara takes India towards 300 on opening day.

Recalled England spinner Monty Panesar troubled the Indian side with his bowling that earned him four for 91 on the first day of the second Test at the Wankhede Stadium yesterday.

Panesar was responsible for dismissing Virender Sehwag (30), Sachin Tendulkar (eight), Virat Kohli (19) and skipper MS Dhoni (29). However, Cheteshwar Pujara scored an unbeaten 114 to help the hosts reach 266 for six at close.

He found an able ally in Ravichandran Ashwin (60 not out) as the duo put on unfinished 97-run partnership for the seventh wicket to bail them out after the hosts were reeling at 119 for five at one stage.

“Pujara is a good player,” said Panesar of Pujara while talking to BBC Sport. “There were a couple of chances where we nearly had him so hopefully tomorrow morning we can get him early doors. We would have liked to have restricted them to under 250, but they have put in a good partnership. Hopefully tomorrow if we can keep them under 300, that will be really good for us.”

Pujara had scored an unbeaten double-century in the opening Test before taking India to victory with an unbeaten 41 in the second-innings.

Meanwhile, veteran batsman Sehwag, who played his 100th Test, was only able to put up 30 off 43 balls before being bowled out by Panesar.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2012.