Sachin Tendulkar actually regained his form to some extent in the encounter with England on the first day in the third test match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. After a series of cold shoulders, lady luck seems to have smiled on the master blaster. Of course much was expected of him on the opening day with both the teams level in the series. But the little master succumbed to vulnerable low delivery from Anderson. The ball snicked the master's willow while the wicket keeper Matt Prior made no mistake in collecting the pricey batsman.

Well let us see how the gracious, opened his knock at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday. The composed master of strokes took time to settle as he entered the arena after Cheteshwar Pujara was sent back to the gallery by Monty Panesar. Initially for five to six overs he was just getting his willow understand the pitch best, as Gautham Gambhir and Virat Kohli walked out for just 136/4. Then came in Yuvraj Singh, which saw the little master lamblast every arrow that was shot at him. He sent the English fielding on a leather hunt with his 13 boundaries in a splendid knock of 76 runs. However the master lost his rhythmn after Yuvvy departed and followed the suit shortly.

Whatever! The little master has once again, went in pride to answer his critics with his willow. The grace of Sachin with almost all text book shots needs to be appreciated for his meticulous planning and execution. Probably he would flex the regained form in the next innings that should last for more duration.  

Gambhir and the skipper M S Dhoni played well earned innings and scored 60 and 52 respectively, taking the Indian score card to 316 allout, this morning. On the bowling fronts for the visitors, Pannesar claimed four wickets while James Anderson claimed three.

(Wishesh-AarKay)