India were expected to bounce back after the defeat at Lord's - and they did just that on day one of the Second Test at Trent Bridge.
But a resilent counter-attacking 64 from Stuart Broad spared England's blushes after the Indian seamers had exploited favourable conditions and left the hosts reeling at 124-8. Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar and Sreesanth, in for the injured Zaheer Khan, did the damage, grabbing three wickets apiece. A total of 221 all out was below par but far more respectable than England might have expected once the middle order had crumbled.
India lost Abhinav Mukund to the first ball of their reply but Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman steadied the ship as the tourists ended the day on 24-1.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men came into the game under pressure but India's decision to bowl first was vindicated in the first two sessions. Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott perished early as England slipped to 23-2 and then, after Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen had pushed the score to 69-2 at lunch, an almighty collapse saw both dismissed along with Eoin Morgan (0) and Matt Prior (1).
With India firmly on top when Ian Bell became the eighth wicket to fall, Broad launched England's fightback. The number eight needed just 56 balls to reach his half century and dragged the team past the 200-mark with solid support from Graeme Swann, who injured his hand while batting and needed an X-ray later in the day.
England's total was not what Strauss would have had in mind but momentum was certainly wrestled back after Broad's heroics. The Trent Bridge pitch was giving the bowlers all kinds of encouragement on day one and should become even more bowler friendly as the match progresses.
The meat of the Indian batting line-up still looms large but honours were almost even by the close, though the tourists will believe they can go on to build a decisive first innings advantage. If England get the better of the morning session on day two, this game could yet swing back in their favour.
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