Impressive start for India in Trent Bridge

Nottingham, July 9 (IANS) India got off to an impressive start as they reached 106 for one at lunch in their first innings on the first day of the first cricket Test against England at the Trent Bridge here Wednesday.

Murali Vijay was batting on 55 and Cheteshwar Pujara on 38 at lunch. The only wicket to fall in the morning session was that of opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan (12), who was caught brilliantly by Matt Prior off James Anderson.

It was a session that went completely in favour of the Indians, who are looking for their first overseas Test win in three years. With the 0-4 whitewash in 2011 still fresh in their minds, the Indians openers Vijay and Dhawan started confidently on a pitch that offered little assistance to the pacers.

The first boundary came in just the third ball of the day, but in an accidental fashion. Vijay wanted to leave the delivery from Anderson but was late in pulling out and found an underedge past the third slip for the first runs on board. The next two balls also were dispatched to the boundary by Vijay but in a much controlled manner.

But it didn't take long for Anderson to taste success. In the seventh over, he just got it to deviate just enough to catch the edge of Dhawan's bat and wicketkeeper Matt Prior plucked out a brilliant one-handed catch diving to his left.

Vijay and Pujara then added 73 runs for their unfinished second wicket stand to take India to a comfortable position at lunch. They took their own time but never missed out on an opportunity to punish the loose deliveries.

Earlier, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat against England.

India have dropped Rohit Sharma for all-rounder Stuart Binny, who will be making his Test debut while Ravindra Jadeja is the lone spinner. England have included Ben Stokes for Chris Jordan.