Sehwag, Pujara put India in control

Virender Sehwag cracked his first Test century in more than two years as India came up with a solid batting display to take control of the first cricket Test against England here today. Sehwag, who has been woefully out of form for long, notched up his 23rd Test century with a run-a-ball 117, while Cheteshwar Pujara was just two runs short of his ton as the hosts cruised to 323 for four at close on the opening day. Giving Pujara company was comeback man Yuvraj Singh, who was batting on 24, on a dry Sardar Patel track, which has already shown signs of assisting the slow bowlers. Off-spinner Graeme Swann did the damage for the visitors, scalping all the four wickets that fell today, and pegged India back to some extent after the roaring start Sehwag provided to the team. Sachin Tendulkar (13) and Virat Kohli (19) could not capitalize on the 134-run partnership for the first wicket between Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir (45). Opener Sehwag, playing his 99th Test, blasted 16 fours and a six in his usual belligerent fashion, helping him to his first century since November, 2010. He dominated the rival bowling attack after the hosts opted to bat on a bone-dry pitch, offering low bounce and some turn. Sehwag was given good support by Gambhir who scored his runs in 111 balls and Pujara, who was closing in on his second Test century after batting watchfully for almost four hours and facing 181 balls. He hit 13 fours. Pujara and Yuvraj saw off the new ball till close after offie Swann turned around the visitors’ fortunes by sending back Gambhir and then Sehwag, Tendulkar and Kohli in quick succession.