Rajkot Test: Virat Kohli, Alastair Cook disagree on pitch

Anderson’s chances of playing have also been boosted by a knee injury sustained by Chris Woakes, even if Cook played that down as a “niggle”. It would have been a lot more exciting had there been more pace in the wicket.

Speaking on the eve of the Vizag Test, Indian Test captain Virat Kohli stressed on the point that KL Rahul was always India’s number one choice as opener and will walk into the line-up as he has fully recovered from his injury. It could be a drier surface, where the ball might grip for the spinners.

He added, “The first innings didn’t go my way but I began to get my rhythm in the second innings when the pitch began to help the spinners a bit”.

It was widely attributed that India will come out all guns blazing against the embattled England especially after their embarrassing first-ever defeat in Bangladesh about two weeks ago. “There were six centuries in the game”. Despite failing with the bowl Ashwin made a vital contribution with his batting in a match saving innings.

India were in dire straits as English bowlers left them wobbling at 118/5 at one stage on Day 5 at Rajkot. “They are inexperienced in these conditions but they took a big step forward and it’s great to see that”.

There were plus points in all departments from the series opener. But then, these are early days yet for the Indians with this system.

England batsmen occupied the crease in flawless batting conditions on a “green” Rajkot pitch which rendered Indian spinners useless.

It is not only that the Indians have to work on their catching. It is indeed those captivating close-in catches that lift a spin combination. Catching is one area that the team prides itself. “If you look at that, probably if [Cheteshwar] Pujara had taken the DRS, probably it would have been 170 for 1 and probably people would have focussed more on the pitch”. He scored 31 and 82 on debut during last week’s drawn first Test.

Questions are being raised about Ravichandran Ashwin’s ability to get wickets on a good track after finishing with underwhelming match figures of 3/230. That’s the decision we’ve got to make.

“We’ve got a good balance to our team and we’ve got people that are prepared to challenge themselves in training”. Shami and Umesh bowled exceptionally well.

Mind games are on.

Having spent some frustrating time away from global action, tending to his injured right hamstring, the right-hander joined the Indian Test team here on Tuesday.