Mukund's century steadies India as Sehwag, Gambhir depart cheaply

India got the runs on the board in their two-day tour game against Northamptonshire, but the key batsmen expected to do duty in the third Test frittered away a good opportunity to get useful practice. Sanjjeev Karan Samyal reports.

India got the runs on the board in their two-day tour game against Northamptonshire, but the key batsmen expected to do duty in the third Test frittered away a good opportunity to get useful practice.

Abhinav-Mukund-is-hit-by-a-ball-from-James-Anderson-during-the-2nd-day-of-the-first-Test-match-at-Lord-s-cricket-ground-London

The players who would be most disappointed are Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, skipper MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina.

The chief run-getters were Abhinav Mukund (113) and VVS Laxman (49). But with Sehwag and Gambhir available, Mukund is unlikely to get another opportunity in the series.

The focus was mainly on Sehwag and Dhoni. Sehwag is playing his first competitive game since the IPL in May.

The Indian opener started positively and unleashed a square cut off the first ball he faced off pacer Luke Evans. However, new-ball bowlers, Evans and Dave Burton, tested him with outswingers. the latter had the big wicket off the final ball of the 7th over when Sehwag was stuck in the crease against a straight ball to be adjudged leg before wicket.

Dhoni, too, struggled to put bat to ball before an away swinger from Evans ended his misery.

Brief score: India 327/7, Mukund 113, Laxman 49, Mishra 48 not out; Evans 2/60