Can Cook turn it around?

[1]

Fresh from their nine-wicket victory in the opening Test at Ahmedabad, India will look to dominate England and press for a big win in the second Test of the four-match series starting here on Friday.

India, who relied on spinners R. Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha to do bulk of the bowling, can expect more from the quicker bowlers as the red-soil and the evening breeze at the seaside Wankhede Stadium helps the ball swing.
On a track that had a green tinge to it and should also offer more bounce compared to the Motera wicket, India suffered a jolt when Umesh Yadav was ruled out of the match with a sore back.
Yadav emerged as the best fast bowler on both sides and drew praise for bowling quick on an unresponsive pitch. He dismissed Ian Bell and Samit Patel off successive deliveries to give India important breakthroughs.
With him missing out, one would have been tempted to include Harbhajan Singh, the third spinner in the side, a ploy India used against Australia in 2004 that ended in three days.
However, India captain M.S. Dhoni made it clear that there will be no change in the combination of the playing XI and the hosts will continue with two seamers.
Ishant Sharma is thus likely to replace Yadav while Zaheer Khan, who did not bowl in the nets on Thursday, will spearhead the attack. The first session of play should be exciting as the cool climate in morning coupled with early dew will help the fast bowlers.
India have little to worry in the batting department as they posted over 500 runs in the first innings to virtually put England out of the equation. Sehwag led the way with a century (117 off 117) which was further bolstered by the unbeaten double century from Chesteshwar Pujara.
The 24-year-old remained not out in the second innings too, scoring 41 as India chased down a small target with ease.
Senior player and local hero Sachin Tendulkar will be itching to get another 100 at his home ground, after his last and only one till date was scored against Sri Lanka 15 years ago.
Having erred in picking the right XI, the Alastair Cook-led side are likely to include left-arm spinner Monty Panesar. England went with three seamers at Ahmedabad where the pitch was suited for the slower bowlers.
On Thursday, Panesar extracted a good deal of bounce in the nets, much to the delight of the support staff. The visitors are grappling with selection issues as vice-captain Stuart Broad missed practice. Ian Bell is in England to be with his baby son.