India win first Test by nine wickets

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India won the first cricket Test against England by nine wickets at Motera in Ahmedabad on Monday to take the lead in the four-match series.

Virender Sehwag (25) and Cheteswar Pujara (41 not out) helped India chase down the 77-run target in 15.3 overs. Virat Kohli remained unbeaten on 11.

England, following on, were bowled out for 406 by lunch. Alastair Cook top-scored with 176 while Matt Prior made 91. Pragyan Ojha took four wickets for India in the second innings while Umesh Yadav struck thrice.

England made 191 in the first innings while India declared at 521 for eight in their first knock.

Cheteshwar Pujara was declared Man of the Match for his double ton.

Thanks to a cracker of an innings from both openers- an unbeatable double-ton by Cheteshwara Pujara and a blitzkrieg ton from Virendar Sehwag. Indian spinners Ojha and Ashwin restricted England to a paltry score of 191 in the first innings, forcing the visitors to follow-on. Ojha dominated in the bowling department with his 5-wicket haul and then following it up with a hard-fought 4-wicket haul in the second innings.

Captain Alastair cook and Matt Prior with their unbeaten stand amassed runs on the fourth day and looked likely to snatch a draw. However, Ojha came good once again on the fifth day for India. He dismissed both of them to set the tone for an emphatic win for the hosts and helping India win comfortably in the end

Although the margin for the victory seemed meagre, the win was far from emphatic for the hosts