It was a dismal performance by the Indian bowlers till the final few overs when they bagged a couple of quick wickets.
Cruising at 252 for 2, England lost two quick wickets in the space of nine deliveries and were reduced to 268 for 4 at close on Day 1 of the first Test at Lord's on Thursday.
The start for India was, to say the least, horrible. The experienced Zaheer Khan, expected to lead the attack, sprayed the ball all around. S Sreesanth complimented him as he time and again dished out loose deliveries.
Thanks to a giant-hearted effort from veteran spinner Anil Kumble, who claimed 2 for 56 in 22 overs, India had something to cheer about at the end of the opening day. The fielding too was below standard and Dinesh Karthik, supposed to be the most reliable fielder in the team, dropped an easy offering from Andrew Strauss on 43.
Manager Chandu Borde tried his best to defend the team's mediocre showing at the end of the day. At times he had no answers to questions from the media, and gave the same reply to practically all questions.
Check out what Borde said at the press conference:
Watching today's performance, it seems the bowlers came straight out of the flight?
They have been here for a month, but half of the time they were in Ireland. Now they have shifted to this side, which has different kind of conditions. Afterwards they have pulled themselves nicely.
How do you motivate the team?
Whenever I get into the nets I try to sort out certain deficiencies and try to help them to correct out those deficiencies and they are quite happy about it.
Where did the bowlers go wrong today?
They didn't do anything wrong. It was just that they were a bit too full with their line and length. In the end, they came back well.
Don't you think we lost the initiative?
It happens in a sport.
Don't you think there was improper planning? After every boundary Rahul Dravid was altering the field, so it looked either the bowler was clueless or the captain. What is your take?
Well, the planning was there. But sometimes when there is too much of anxiety, this happens.
How is the atmosphere in the dressing room?
It's very good. In the evening the atmosphere has become better [after the two late wickets].
A number of players are playing for the first time at Lord's. It can be an overawing feeling. Was there anything done to help them out today morning or the previous night by the captain or yourself?
We did have a meeting previous night [Wednesday] and we did talk to them. I think most of the boys have realised this is a wonderful place, and I also as a player got excited initially when I played [at Lord's].
So, naturally, it is always on the back of your mind that you are playing on this wonderful, historical ground.
When you saw elementary catches going down, did you feel they were intimidated or overawed by the situation?
A lot of people drop catches also. I have also dropped a few catches here. So it is a part of the game; just one of the things. He [Dinesh Karthik] was also feeling sorry about it, but it is a part of the game.
But was there a general tense mood initially?
Initially, it happens with every cricketer, especially with newcomers. It always happens that butterflies [in the stomach] will be there. Then when you settle down it is okay.
When you are playing for the first time and certain players are playing for the first time, so there are butterflies initially. It affects sometimes. But they came back beautifully in the evening. Every session after the first session they were improving, it happens. After lunch we curtailed the run-rate quite nicely, they bowled a beautiful line and length. Towards the end we could have got a wicket also the way they were bowling.
Was there a serious discussion at lunch?
Before going to a match you will find that every team will discuss what we should do. That we do for every session. We discussed that 'okay boys let's have another session to our satisfaction and let's bowl a good line and length' and that has helped our team very nicely.
What you do you think would be a good total to contain them?
Well, we would like to get them out as soon as possible.
