On a day of ups and downs, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Stuart Broad were pleased with their side’s progress at the end of play.
The day finished with India having posted 457 and England reaching 43 in reply for the loss of captain Alastair Cook, unluckily bowled off his pads.
However, that doesn’t paint the full picture with India losing four wickets for just two runs after lunch, before a last wicket stand halted England’s charge.
But Broad believes the hosts prospered with the ball throughout the day and should be pleased with what they achieved.
“That session between lunch and tea was our best of the day and test with four wickets falling for just the addition of around 90 runs,” Broad said.
“What happened after that was due to the ball becoming softer in between the 50 and 80 over mark and credit to the last pair for the way they batted.”
“Cookie was unfortunate to get out in that way and he will be looking forward to when he can get back out there and score big runs.”
Kumar, alongside Mohammed Shami, was part of the pair that shared in a partnership of 111 to rescue their side from 346-9.
And he believes that tomorrow will be crucial in the outcome of the test, a thought that Broad mirrors.
“It was a very good day for us but now the bowling unit has a lot of work to do and will have to be patient in the pursuit of wickets,” Kumar said.
“We are confident we can pick up wickets and hopefully Rahul Dravid’s help on which areas are the best to bowl will be a big help.”
Broad on the other hand is looking for patience from the batsmen and has earmarked the perfect man to be out in the middle in the conditions.
“Hopefully the batsmen can assert their authority tomorrow and bat long to put a big score on the board,” Broad said.
“A lad like Sam Robson isn’t so bothered about batting quick but he just loves batting so it will be a perfect setting for him.”