Kudos to the team for picking 5 bowlers - I had recommended that at Nagpur too, but that's history now. It is amazing we played 4 at Nagpur while a depleted England played five! Congratulations to both Munaf Patel and Piyush Chawla for making their debuts today. Munaf shows promise and I expect Piyush to have a say later in the match. England finished a rain truncated day at 163/4 off 50.3 overs. Pietersen top scored with 64. Collingwood ( 16) and Flintoff ( 4) are at the crease.

The pitch is slow and quite flat. The bounce is only a little better than Nagpur except for one spot at a full length which gives you good lift. The bounce is true and the pitch has nothing for the bowlers for now. Considering that, India did well.

Munaf bowled well and looks good. It was nice to see an Indian bowler hurry the batsmen and clock over 140 km/hr. That was a sight for sore eyes! Munaf bowled over 140 km/h consistently in the afternoon, with the old ball and got some reverse swing going. He bowled on the stumps and made the batsmen play which is the way it should be. Irfan swung the ball more but with less control. I like the look of Munaf. He is tall and will become stronger with more work in the gym. If he keeps injuries at bay, we have discovered a bowler of promise.

In Sreesanth , R P Singh and VRV Singh we have 3 more promising bowlers. Apparently Balaji and Nehra are on the comeback trail too. Competition amongst bowlers will produce the best from these lads. I hope Chawla does well and puts Bhajji under pressure too. Kumble bowled well  and was unlucky to get only one wicket. That was when he foxed Bell into leaving a googly that clipped the top of off stump. The look on Bell's face said it all. Bhajji was, well, Bhajji - predictable and plain.

I am disappointed in Andrew Strauss. I was looking forward to watching him bat, but he has been poor so far - out twice chasing wide deliveries. Pietersen batted well and was looking dangerous when Munaf got him, caught and bowled, playing early. Thats what pace does to batsmen. Munaf also bowled some fast, inswinging yorkers to trouble the batsmen.

Rain is forecast tomorrow. I hope we can get England out quickly and then pile on a large score to bring on the pressure. Like Nagpur, we have made a good start. I don't think the team will let this one go easily - or am I tempting fate ? We will know, hopefully tomorrow. So long, folks.