Electing to bat, the Indians were cruising along comfortably at 98 for no loss but lost three quick wickets in the span of 18 runs to slip to 116 for three just before the lunch break with rookie spinner Jason Krejza scalping the prized wickets of Virender Sehwag (66) and Rahul Dravid (0). But Tendulkar salvaged the innings with VVS Laxman (64) as the experienced duo put on a vital 146-run fourth wicket partnership to bring the hosts back into the game on a flat track at the newly-built VCA stadium. Sourav Ganguly was batting on 27 and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was on 4 at stumps on the opening day which saw both teams more or less sharing the honours.