Good first day will set the tone for the series

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The time for strategizing and working out game plans is almost over, it is now time for India and England to execute the plans on the ground and that is always very exciting. Such is the amount of data available to international teams these days that there are very few secrets left.

With specialised batting and bowling coaches, and accomplished video analysts, teams are never short on ideal preparation. The challenge lies in translating the plans formulated in the dressing room out in the middle.

It was nice to see the Indian team get together in Mumbai for a three-day camp ahead of the Test series.

In any game of cricket, it is vitally important to seize the early initiative, and it becomes even more crucial in the first game of a series as high-profile as this one. In the dressing room, we have discussed the significance of beginning well, be it with bat or ball. A lot of the times, we have tried to win the first session because that in a way sets the tone for the rest of the day, and the first day sets the tone for the rest of the Test match.

I feel that’s where India is very fortunate to have Viru and Gauti opening the batting, and Zak and Umesh operating with the new ball. Viru and Gauti are the best Indian opening combination, an opinion backed up by impressive numbers, and among the top opening combines to have played Test cricket.

They are very good friends off the pitch, and that is all too obvious when they are batting in the middle.
There are few more exciting sights in international cricket than Viru in full flight. When he is on song, it has a two-fold effect – the opposition is demoralised, the bowlers under huge pressure and the captain at a loss; it also boosts the confidence in our camp, allowing the middle order to build on the start provided.

I am sure England must be dreading the prospect of running into Viru at his best. Just like Viru, Zak has established himself as a massive force in international cricket. He is crafty and dangerous with the new ball, getting it to go both ways, and I am sure in Ahmedabad, there will be reverse swing as well for him and Umesh. It is just the base from which Ashwin and Ojha can express themselves on a surface that should help spinners as the match progresses.

India will not take England lightly, but given the firepower at the disposal of MS, I will not be surprised if India call the shots from day one and put Cook’s men under pressure.