Welcome back Virender Sehwag - 117 off 117

There were many reasons for my tense mood on November 15. It was my close friend’s birthday, possibly the last we would celebrate together, I was MC-ing one of the most important events of the year and the date was creeping closer and closer, and India was taking on England at Ahmedabad for the day 1 of the first Test. To anyone else, I looked calm and composed, but I was actually a nervous wreck. My hands were itching to go to a computer and check the score, and I finally did but only at about five in the evening after I got home.

I was in for a pleasant surprise; Sehwag had scored a century! If a poll has been taken to see who would score a century, Virender Sehwag probably wouldn’t have been the first or even the second answer. Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar would have been mentioned – both of whom failed to impress. 117 off 117 balls from Sehwag - that’s monumental, especially in Test cricket. Cheteshwar Pujara joined the party with a massive 98 not out and finished the day’s play with a four. Yuvraj Singh, though he did not score too much as he came on to the field towards the end, played really well too. The rest however, were not up to mark in the Indian team.

You know one of those days where literally everything goes wrong? Get up late, burn breakfast, everything you touch falls apart? England were wishing fervently for one of those days because theirs was worse. From losing the toss to playing seamers on a slow pitch, they did everything they could possibly do wrong. Alastair Cook will be cursing his stars that he ever became Test captain. Tim Bresnan, who took wickets by the bagful against India in England was treated like a club bowler. He was left pulling all his hair out on the field. Along with the rest of the bowlers with the exception of Graeme Swann. Swann played with class and finesse taking wickets of the likes of Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar. There were four mess-ups on the field by the English which pretty much sums up their disappointing day 1.

The experts say that it is impossible for England to win this match, but it is cricket. While it is Test cricket which is not as fickle as T20, it is rather susceptible to change.

Moment of the Day: Sehwag sending fielders scattered in all directions chasing balls that anyway reached the boundary lines.