SECOND TEST, Mohali (day one close):
India 311-5 v Australia

By Paul Fletcher

606: DEBATE Discuss the day's play on 606 after 0900 BST

1246: Well, that is it for today. I hope that you have enjoyed the last few hours as much as I have. Pranav Soneji will be back on Saturday to guide you safely through what should be a fascinating second day.

"It is the biggest milestone. It has taken me almost 19 years to get here. There have been ups and downs but this is a great feeling."
Record breaker Sachin Tendulkar

1240: The day will go down in history for the moment when Sachin Tendulkar became the highest run scorer in Test cricketer - and in doing so the first player to reach 12,000 runs. Well done to him.

"I don't know about cricketers with first/last name anagrams, but WPUJ Chaminda Vaas only needs four more letters in his name to have the complete alphabet (f, q, x and z)."
Jon Twite, Nottingham, via the TMS inbox

1235: A total of 85 overs were possible in the day and Saurav Ganguly remains unbeaten on 52. Plenty of Indian batsmen made starts but none went on to reach three figures - Sachin Tendulkar came closest with 88 before he became Peter Siddle's first victim in Test cricket.

CLOSE INDIA 311-5
Brett Lee continues and Sourav Ganguly immediately clips the ball away for a single. That leaves Ishant Sharma with five balls left to negotiate. Sharma gets everything behind the ball and sees out the remaining five deliveries of the over.

1228: India 310-5
Peter Siddle looks to build on his first Test wicket and almost does so when Ishant Sharma plays a wild, ambitious and expansive drive. He fails to make any contact but comes close to an outside edge. Probably no more than one more over today.

"Shane Warne played a Shane Warne impersonator in Kath and Kim. Did a good job of playing himself actually, something batsmen of the world struggled with."
Alex, London, via the TMS inbox

1224: India 309-5
With a wicket falling, Brett Lee is brought into the attack. Ishant Sharma is out in the middle in the night-watchman role and immediately plays and misses. A full one is driven and mis-fielded by Michael Hussey, allowing Sharma to get off the mark.

"Regarding cricketers and sitcoms- There was of course Salil Ankola, Bombay seamer who played for India briefly and then pursued an acting career in Indian TV. I'm not sure how successful he was. Was considered a good looking sort by the ladies."
Raashid, Peterborough, via the TMS inbox

1212: India 297-4
The new ball is taken and Mitchell Johnson does manage to beat Sourav Ganguly all ends up. A boundary comes, though, when Johnson strays down the leg side and Brad Haddin is late with his dive.

"Chris asks about cricketers who have first names that are anagrams of their surname. How about Ton-hater Atherton - the man run-out on 99?"
Richard, Worcester, via the TMS inbox

"I've just been through the pages of every Wisden since 1684, and there are no players whose names are anagrams of each other.

"The closest I can offer you is Kevin Rubbish Petersen.

"I realise this is somewhat obtuse, but these pages could do with a bit less of the sledgehammer wit."
Alan via the TMX inbox

Alan - hope you're not saying that we are lacking a fine and subtle wit on this page. Otherwise people might question your claim that you have gone back through every Wisden since 1684. Great dedication though.

1206: India 293-4
Plenty of effort from Shane Watson as a long day in the field moves towards a conclusion. Two singles off the over. The new ball is now available.

"Tendulkar has broken Lara's record, Ganguly looks in great touch, India is in a comfortable position, and it's Friday! All's well with the world again!"
Vineet Doshi, India, via the TMS inbox

1201: India 291-4
Brett Lee comes over the wicket to the left handed Sourav Ganguly. I cannot blame him for trying something different but it only lasts a couple of deliveries. Lee looks to bowl a fuller length. The first maiden in quite some time.

"If Andre Nel and his alter ego would be good in a sitcom how about Brett Lee and Shane Watson in a daytime American soapie? Those stares after each ball would be perfect for those end of scene stares the 'actors' do."
Jill in Australia (who swears she never ever watches daytime American soapies) via the TMS inbox

Lee and Watson would be perfect in Home and Away or Neighbours, surely.

1151: India 286-4
Brett Lee is brought back and announces this fact with a short one that Sourav Ganguly leaves well alone. Using all his experience, Ganguly conjures a single and lets Sachin have the strike for a while. Very shrewd. The great man is not bothered and executes a wristy drive through the off side. The placement is perfect and the ball eludes two fielders to win the race to the rope. He follows this up with a single.

"The name of Brian Brain, who played for Worcestershire and Gloucestershire in the 1960's and 70's would be equally suited to a sitcom character or an intergalactic space hero. Incidentally, can anyone recall other professional cricketers whose Christian name has been an anagram of their surname?"
Chris, Bristol, via the TMS inbox

1145: India 281-4
No more messing about. Sachin Tendulkar mashes Cameron White over mid on for four, though again I'm not sure he fully gets hold of it. Singles follow before Tendulkar pulls a short delivery through midwicket for another boundary.

142: India 271-4
Mitchell Johnson has stuck to his task today, his 20 overs so far producing decent figures of 3-68. Sachin Tendulkar slashes at a wide one that eludes slip but the ball is scooped up at third man.

1138: India 270-4 TENDULKAR REACHES 12,000 TEST RUNS
Cameron White, sweat on his brow, continues as the overs tick down to the new ball. Sachin Tendulkar clips the ball away for a single and becomes the first man to reach 12,000 Test runs. He raises his bat as the crowd erupts, though not to the same frenzied degree as when he surpassed Brian Lara's record. Four singles from the over.

1135: India 266-4
Arms crossed from Ricky Ponting, gum being vigorously chewed. A quite natural skipper's reaction to sloppy overthrows I would have thought. Thanks to Shane Watson's throw a single becomes five. The partnership is now worth 102. The singles keep coming and India have scored 92 runs in 22 overs so far during the session.

"Surely Charlie Shreck would make the best sitcom actor. Maybe he could do the voice over for an animated sitcom as well?"
Graham, Lancs, via the TMS inbox

1130: India 259-4
Cameron White is really trying to rip some of his deliveries but isn't landing them in the right place often enough. The experienced Indian duo continue to pick him off.

"Regarding cricketers and sitcom stars. Didn't former Hampshire and England batsman Paul Terry star alongside June Whitfield in a hit BBC sitcom of the 1980s?"
Will from Southampton via the TMS inbox

1122: India 250-4
Sourav Ganguly is now the fourth highest Indian Test run scorer. Given he is in his last Test series he will struggle to overtake the next man on the list, Sunil Gavaskar with 10,122 Test runs. Cameron White bowls a tidy over in which he concedes two singles.

1119: India 248-4
Sourav Ganguly reaches 7,000 Test runs with a couple down to wide third man. Another milestone, though not in the same league as batting partner Sachin Tendulkar. By the way, Tendulkar is 16 short of 12,000 Test runs.

1114: India 243-4
Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar are building a very solid partnership, taking regular singles and supplementing them with boundaries. Cameron White continues and the scoreboard ticks over.

"On the topic of cricketing sitcom actors: How about S Sreesanth in Strictly Come Dancing?

"Let me tell you he is a brilliant dancer and by far the best in the whole of cricketing fraternity. He wouldn't be a bad actor as well after his intense action sequences with Andre Nel and Symonds."
Ketan Gada via the TMS inbox

1112: India 241-4
Mitchell Johnson replaces the ineffective Peter Siddle. Sourav Ganguly opens the face of his bat for an easy single. Sachin Tendulkar then runs the ball off the face of his bat for an easy single. Ganguly plays and misses at a wide one. Careless.

1103: India 239-4
Cameron White continues after drinks and there is a huge appeal for a stumping that umpire Rudi Koertzen does not refer upstairs. Replays show that Sourav Ganguly had his foot in the air and would definitely have been out. A terrible error. The rest of the over passes without incident until Sachin Tendulkar comes down the wicket and drives the ball over Mitchell Johnson at mid off. The ball falls short of the boundary and plugs. Not a stellar connection by any means.

1059: India 236-4
Peter Siddle might just be one of those players who looks permanently exhausted. It is a hot day, I suppose, as he runs in, toiling away. To be fair, he nearly accounts for Tendulkar as the Indian legend is almost bowled via a thickish inside edge. He follows that moment of drama with an imperious on drive. Drinks are taken.

(See 1042) "Surely Andre Nel would make the best sitcom actor, imagine the hilarity and versatility of having him and Gunther.

"I once discussed the merits of Andre Nel as a tap ruckman (a position in Australian Rules Football) for several hours. Concluding he would be worth the financial outlay; taking the tap, then proceed to verbally abuse anyone within earshot. Glorious"
Lee via the TMS inbox

"I think that the "Monty Panesar Show" would definitely draw the crowds. No resemblance to Monty Python!!!"
Matthew vis the TMS inbox

1055: India 231-4
Just a single to Sachin Tendulkar off the Cameron White over. The partnership is now worth 68.

1053: India 230-4
Peter Siddle back on and Sachin Tendulkar turns his wrist on a straight one for four. He then opens the face, running the ball down to third man for another boundary and, next delivery, clips it away for two. Another run follows - 11 in total off the over and it is very smooth progress for the Indian duo at the moment.

1045: India 219-4
Cameron White comes on for the first time in this Test. There is a brief panic over a single, Sachin Tendulkar is sent back and makes his ground relatively easily. Just two singles off the over. Sourav Ganguly reaches 6,996 Test runs - the same as Don Bradman.

1042: India 217-4
Michael Clarke continues, the Indian duo continue to pick him off, keeping the scoreboard ticking over. The 50 partnership comes up.

"Have I missed something? Who is Peter Siddle? Never heard of him, sounds like a sitcom actor. The Ashes are coming home!!"
Gareth Williams in Norwich via the TMS inbox

He is making his debut. I wouldn't be too worried from the little I have seen, though the pitch is not exactly friendly to his type of fast-medium bowling. As for his acting ability - I have no idea. Which cricketer has a name most suited to sitcom acting?

1039: India 211-4
"Thank you for making India proud Sachin" reads the script on a boundary board. Sourav Ganguly opens the over with a couple driven through the off side and follows that up with a clipped single. Sachin Tendulkar punches Shane Watson through the covers for a single of his own. Comfortable.

1035: India 207-4
Michael Clarke and is short and down the leg side but Sachin Tendulkar misses out. A single for both Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly off the over.

1031: India 205-4
Point drops to the boundary. Why? Because Sourav Ganguly has hit a cracking stroke through that region off Shane Watson for another boundary. Sachin Tendulkar might be breaking records but Ganguly looks to be in great touch.

"I made Brian Lara some cocktails when he was a surprise visitor to a bar I was working in during summer 2000. It's only fair I extend the offer to do the same for Sachin to celebrate his success."
Richard via the TMS inbox

What else can we do for the record breaker?

1027: India 201-4
Michael Clarke tosses a few up to Sourav Ganguly, who drives into space for a single - it is the only run off the over. Will Sachin Tendulkar ever have the strike again?

1025: India 200-4
Ricky Ponting has seen enough and Shane Watson comes on in place of Peter Siddle. The first ball is slightly short and wide - Sourav Ganguly finds the gap and thus the boundary rope. Four dot balls follow before Ganguly takes a single. The fireworks have finally stopped, while India have reached 200.

1019: India 195-4
Michael Clarke continues. India pick off a couple of singles and the partnership reaches 32.

"While Brian Lara was the all-time leading run scorer I once found his phone that he had left in the pro shop of a golf course in Cheshire. I of course returned the phone to Brian at the first opportunity. I was wondering whether the same thing might happen to Tendulkar once he passes Lara's record."
Bob Davies, Kendal, via the TMS inbox

Does Tendulkar play golf? I have no idea.

1016: India 193-4
Peter Siddle, who himself goes down into the history books as a consequence of Sachin Tendulkar's record, continues. India are starting to find the gaps, with Sourav Ganguly flicking the ball through midwicket for a couple and a single apiece.

1012: India 189-4
Michael Clarke continues. A full toss outside the off stump is punched past the despairing dive of Brett Lee at mid off. It is the highlight of another productive over for India.

1009: India 183-4
Just for the record, the three that Sachin Tendular scored off the first ball after tea took him to 11,955 runs. Sourav Ganguly then took a single and Tendulkar likewise. Ganguly ends the over with a very wristy boundary through point.

1000: WORLD RECORD
Sachin Tendulkar eases the first ball after tea from Peter Siddle down to third man and with that the fireworks start - literally. Tendulkar becomes the highest scorer in Test cricket. Every Australian shakes his hand, the crowd go wild. The record has stood since Brian Lara surpassed Allan Border in a match at Adelaide on 26 November 2005. Will the fireworks ever stop?

1000: And they are on their way back out...

"Sources tell me Sachin Tendulkar's mum has just been on national radio with a message to her son that he has to go home and tidy his room now, and no she doesn't care if he's about to get the most ever points in crickball or whatever it is he's up to; his room's a right mess and if he doesn't come home right now he can't go to that IPL party he's been going on about for ages."
Paul, Lancs, via the TMS inbox

"I used to be thoroughly in the stick with the legends camp as regards India's batting selection conundrum. But after today's mishaps I'd bring in Virat Kohli for Dravid and Rohit Sharma for Laxman. That would shake things up a bit. Don't get me wrong, I love Dravid and Laxman as much as the next man but at the minute India's batting looks about as solid as England 1990's vintage, there's a collapse around every corner. Plus I've just checked and apparently dropping Tendulkar - or even speaking of it - is illegal, and rightly so."
Richard, Preston, via the TMS inbox

Sunny in Preston today?

"I've just had all my Indian colleagues desert an online meeting...can't imagine why!!"
Andy, Tunbridge Wells, via the TMS inbox

TEA: INDIA 174-4
It could be an anxious 20 minutes for Sachin Tendulkar, who is two runs from becoming the highest run scorer in Test cricket. Sourav Ganguly is undefeated on two runs. India lost three wickets for 17 runs during a very good spell for the Australians in the middle of the session.

0941: India 174-4
Michael Clarke on for the last over before tea. A tempter for Sachin Tendulkar, who needs three runs to become the highest run scorer in Test cricket. He attempts a paddle sweep but is sent back and then scores a single with a controlled drive through the covers.

0938: India 173-4
A change of bowling, with Ricky Ponting turning to Peter Siddle. He could make history - by being the bowler off whom Sachin Tendulkar plunders the history-making run. Tendulkar clips the ball off the stumps for a single. Siddle comes around the wicket to Sourav Ganguly, who loosely wafts at a wide one. A terrible stroke. Ganguly ends the over with a couple down to third man.

0933: India 170-4
Brett Lee to Sourav Ganguly. A maiden, with no real alarms for the batsman.

"I'm with you, Paul, regarding the rugby league World Cup. I'm looking forward to it but do hope that there is a tad more competition than normal. And the fact that it is on here is even better - no getting up in the middle of the night to watch games. Yay.

Martin in Brighton - don't knock the Kiwis just yet, I reckon they'll be putting a fight up."
Jill, Australia, via the TMS inbox

0930: India 170-4
Delicious. Mitchell Johnson pitches one up, though it is by no means a full half volley, and Sachin Tendulkar leans into it, sensational bodyweight transfer as he punches the ball through the cover region. Six more needed - make that four more as Tendulkar clips the ball off his legs. It would have been another boundary but for a great sliding stop from Brett Lee.

0923: India 164-4
Easy to lose sight (or perhaps not) of the fact that Sachin Tendulkar is closing in on his own slice of history, what with wickets tumbling all over the shop. Tendulkar has a job to do for his team now. He adds a single to his total with a delicious drive from a full-length delivery. Sourav Ganguly leaves well alone with a teaser.

0918: India 163-4
Sourav Ganguly does his best to look composed, taking his time at the crease. He plays out the remainder of the over. Lots and lots of oohs and aahs in the field now. A wicket maiden for Johnson.

0912: India 163-3
Brett Lee sends down a bouncer, that also happens to be the first no ball of the day. Sachin Tendulkar looks a touch tentative. Ricky Ponting has positioned himself in a very straight position close to the track on the on side. Tendulkar takes himself one run closer to becoming the highest scorer in Test cricket with a single. He now needs a further 11 runs to eclipse Brian Lara. Laxman ends the over with a single, clipped off his toes.

0903: India 160-3
Mitchell Johnson drifts to leg and VVS Laxman says thanks very much, clipping the ball fine off his thigh for his first boundary. Johnson over compensates and sends the next couple down well wide of off stick. Johnson straightens and Laxman opens the face and runs the ball down through the vacant wide slip/gully region for the second boundary of the over. No wonder Johnson scratches his head.

0903: India 152-3
A scream of excitement from the crowd as Sachin Tendulkar whips the ball off his toes down to fine leg for a single. VVS Laxman adds another single to raise the 150. I suspect the passage to 200 will be very hard work. Sachin ends the over with a couple through the off side.

"Why on earth are you excited about the Rugby League World Cup? There are three competitive nations in the world, and two of those aren't in the same league as the other one (excuse the pun). Australia will walk it. The important thing is that it's only three years until the next Rugby Union World Cup (I write this as an impartial Bok)."
Martin, hard at work on taxpayers money, Brighton via the TMS inbox

Because it will be brilliant. Fast, exciting, furious. I'll worry about the union one when it rolls around once more.

0858: India 148-3 VVS Laxman out into the middle. He and Tendulkar have to start all over again and the energy levels in the field have gone through the roof. Laxman is off the mark.

0843: India 146-1
Mitchell Johnson continues. I see that he is from Townsville, where England start their forthcoming rugby league World Cup campaign with a fixture against Papua New Guinea on 25 October. Something that I am very excited about. Gautam Gambhir is starting to find the field but nevertheless manages a couple. Drinks come on to the field.

0838: India 144-1
Brett Lee continues to Gautam Gambhir, who drives a full length delivery but slightly mistimes his stroke and has to settle for a single to deep cover. Having only recently arrived at the text commentary crease I have to say that there is a very defensive look about the Aussie field. Not what I am used to seeing.

0834: India 143-1
Rahul Dravid helps himself to a couple after smoothly opening the face of his bat but then plays and misses to a wide one from Mitchell Johnson.

0830: India 141-1
Morning. Let us just hope that I can deliver to something approaching Pranav standard. Never easy. Brett Lee is brought back into the attack. Gautam Gambhir plays and misses outside his off stump. Popular figure in India is Mr Brett. Gambhir is happy to opt for a defensive strategy for the remainder of the over. A maiden.

By Pranav Soneji

0823: India 141-1
Brad Haddin goes all David James with a superb diving stop to his right, as opposed to needlessly flapping thin air. Dravid fashions two further runs down to fine leg. Over to you Fletch...

"Nice to see two Victorians in the Australian team for a change. It always seemed as though the Australian selectors overlooked any Victorian thoroughly deserving of a spot in any of the three teams. Unless your name is Shane Warne, Dean Jones or Merv Hughes that is."
Jesse, Melbourne, Australia via the TMS inbox

0821: India 138-1
Gautam Gambhir runs through for a quick single off Peter Siddle as Ricky Ponting shies at the stumps from the covers. Had the Aussie hit the sticks, Gambhir would have been out because the opener and his gap were suspended in midair. However, Ponting missed, so no such worries.

0816: India 136-1
It's Anil Kumble's birthday today, he's 38. Wonder what he wished for when he blew his candles out, potientally a mute button for the Indian press, who seem to be hampering him about his retirement date. Gambhir's brilliant back-foot pull through mid-wicket for four will have put a smile on his face though. I will be relinquishing my text commentator seat to the irrepressible Paul Fletcher, who will be raising standards in my absence, in the next two overs.

0812: India 130-1
Siddle's radar suffers a blip as he strays down leg side, much to Dravid's joy as he whips the ball through square leg for yet another poetic four. But he somehow manages to outdo that stroke with a font-foot leg glance through mid-wicket for his seventh boundary. Dreamy stuff.

0808: India 122-1
Shane Watson pushes an attempted inswinger down leg, which Dravid nonchantly flicks off his pad for a fine four, which brings up the 50 partnership between the second-wicket pair. The Aussies are trying to expose Dravid's tendency to shuffle across his off stump, although the bowler isn't doing himself any favours with a wide half volley outside leg stump, which the number three dispatches for his fifth boundary. And he nicks the single off the last ball with a well-judged single.

"I have the ideal conference venue (see lunch, 0701): Switzerland; beautiful scenery, stable economy and loads of cricket chat-starved expats, like me, who struggle to explain the noble game to a nation of French-speaking mountain yodellers and German banking gnomes. Bring it on, we will even provide the geese (I think Kev would take a whole flock, not just one�)"
James, dreaming of England

0803: India 113-1
More useful snifters from Siddle, who continues to probe the short-of-a-length area in to Gambhir's chest/waist area, clocking 91.3mph with his fifth delivery. Good over.

0759: India 113-1
Ponting installs a very straight silly mid-on for Dravid, but the former Indian captain is not tempted as Watson attempts to lure him into a false stroke. Instead he concedes two singles as Dravid moves to 16, while his partner, who looks like a man hell-bent on three figures, is on 57.

0755: India 111-1
Gambhir leaps on to his back foot as a short of a length Siddle delivery spits off the deck, but deft hands from the opener ensures the ball lands to safety. Siddle is hitting the deck at a decent lick. Maiden over, but no signs of reverse swing, which will give Ricky Ponting something to ponder.

0752: India 111-1
Gambhir doubles up with a dab to third man before a single in the same fashion off Watson under a azure-lue cloudless sky, I would love to be in the Punjab right now. Is anyone in the Punjab right now? Some news just in - Australia opener Phil Jacques is returning home because of a long-standing lower back problem. A replacement is set to be named shortly.

0748: India 108-1
Rahul Dravid jams down his bat to a full length Pete Siddle delivery, only to see the ball race away past mid-on for four. Extraordinary shot, he stops his bat midway through the shot, but the timing is exquisitely Swiss.

0744: India 104-1
Shane Watson, lunch safely digested in belly, ambles in for a thoroughly anodyne maiden over to Gautam Gambhir, who eschews his pre-lunch fireworks for some defensive work.

0737: Nibbles over, the batsmen and fielders are out for the second session.

LUNCH: INDIA 104-1

"For another milk-based famous canine beverage (MBFCB?) how about 'Milo' who was also the Jack Russell in The Mask - the Jim Carrey film. Great to see the Indians taking it to the Aussies before lunch."
Roy Marsh, Singapore via the TMS inbox

A worthy mention also goes to Daniel Greenslade, who also emailed in with the same line, only to be beaten by Roy.

"While not milk-based (see 0658), Hooch was both a beverage and a famous film canine."
Ben, Brisbane via the TMS inbox

"I mentioned the unconfined joy that TMS live text, under your stewardship, brings to millions to an events/conference manager friend of mine. Once she'd understood the notion, dollar signs literally pinged up in her eyes, only figuratively, as she exclaimed something like 'Ah, so you're like Trekkies - obsessed nutters who will pay money!'

"So I said I'd ask you to ask the TMS live text world if anyone would be interested in a big conference to talk about TMS live text all day, with guest speakers and stuff - Carole in Maidenhead doing demos of how to avoid being seen by the boss, some of the students giving papers about writing theses sustained only by live text and cheap cider, that kind of thing.

"I don't think you'd be able to go because you'd have to do the live text on it from a box in London in order to maintain the Baudrillardian vortex of self-referentiality, and I'd have to stay in Lancs to send emails, but it might be fun for the others."
Paul in Lancs

I think this would be in the public interest, lectures on the texture of French fancies, seminars on the harsh comparison of Ben Dirs and Phil Collins and extensive research papers on who would win in a fight between Kevin Pietersen and a goose. Anyone fancy hosting this extravaganza?

0658: India 94-1
Oof! Where did that come from? Shane Watson beats Gautam Gambhir with a ripper of a delivery which straightens outside off stump and whizzes past the edge of his bat. Maiden over.

"0626: It's not milk and honey in Punjab, its aloo paratha and lassi. That's Indian bread stuffed with spicy potatoes and other things, and, well, lassi."
Aditya via the TMS inbox

Can anyone else think of a milk-based beverage which shares the same name as a famous film canine?

0652: India 94-1
Mitchell Johnson is steaming in at a right old head of pace, consistently hitting the 90mph mark. I had the misfortune of facing a 90mph delivery earlier this year at The Oval, it's fair to say Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid are dealing with the extra pace slightly better than I did, both men nudging singles to edge closer to the 100 mark.

0648: India 91-1
Gautam thumps another saucy-looking drive to cover for a quick single, although probably a little quicker than he expected.

0644: India 90-1
Gambhir drops his hands and runs through for a well-judged single off Johnson, who concedes another single when Dravid tucks a leg-stump ball to fine leg.

"I'm thinking Alec Bedser (see 0550) would have been a shoo-in for double entendre heaven in a Carry On film."
Ben, Brisbane via the TMS inbox

0639: India 88-1
Watson is back on and Gambhir skips down the track first ball, but his the ball straight to mid-wicket. Nothing too dramatic from that over.

0634: India 88-1
Gautam Gambhir sets off like an Olympic 100m runner after flicking Johnson to deep square, clearly intent on coming back for two while his former captain ambles through for a single. Dravid has to send his partner back halfway down the track, prompting a few excited shouts from the Aussies, but no dramas for either batsmen. Dravid then checks a front-foot shot to a slower delivery, not too dissimilar to how Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed in the first innings at Bangalore, past cover for four. Aerial, but safe.

"Good job you've not been given the Bangladesh-NZ game to commentate on. I think Bangladesh are on a 'go slow'. 32-1 off 29.1 overs. Fingers crossed for a convincing Indian victory. The sports news is much better here when Australia lose."
Jonathan, Sydney

0630: India 83-1
Dravid gets off the mark with a smart flick off his hips for four as Brett Lee stays down leg side, the stadium is slowly filling up, but still - where is everyone?

0626: India 78-1
This pitch is like the land of milk and honey - once you get there, you never want to leave. Rahul Dravid takes no unnecessary risks from Mitchell Johnson's fifth over, a maiden.

0622: India 78-1
Sniffing blood, Ricky Ponting whips Shane Watson off after just one over and bringing back Brett Lee. Gambhir looks utterly nonplussed, taking yet another huge front-foot stride and driving Lee through the off-side cover for four. He collects two more with a dab to third man before turning a ball off his pads, two runs which take him to 38.

"Hattie Jacques (see 0550) - Phil's sister (?) could have open for England! Or perhaps Bermuda."
Oliver Clissold via the TMS inbox

0611: India 70-0
Shane Watson comes on for a joust and serves up a clever slower ball first up, which Virender Sehwag edges past the lonely Haddin - no-one wants to stand in the slips with him - for four. That shot prompts Ricky Ponting to move Matthew Hayden to a wide first/second slip, although he can't do anything to prevent Sehwag opening the face of his bat and running the ball down to third man for a single. How's about this for confidence? Gautam Gambhir takes two steps down the track to hit Watson - who is no pie chucker - for a single to cover, while Sehwag flicks another ball off his hip for one.

0602: India 63-0
Mitchell Johnson touches the 90mph mark to Gautam Gambhir, but the opener is unflustered as he presents the full face of the bat. Just one run from that over as Sehwag flicks a straightish delivery down to fine leg. Time for a spot of beverages.

0559: India 62-0
Sehwag fashions Siddle off his legs for a single. How Ricky Ponting must be yearning for some tight Stuart Clark nagging accuracy right now.

0555: India 61-0
Ponting has gone full-blown defensive now, stationing a deep point for Virender Sehwag, who smacks a full Johnson delivery for a single to that area. Johnson ends the over with a juicy half volley to Gambhir, who punches yet another textbook front-foot cover drive through mid-off and cover. Judicious placement in that shot too, India's openers are looking more comfortable than a stack of cushions right now.

0550: India 56-0
Crikey, more boundaries as Gambhir tucks into a wide half volley from Siddle through cover. That shot prompts Ricky Ponting to drop Michael Clarke deeper at point. We're only 50 minutes into this Test... I said earlier (0457) that Peter Siddle sounds like a Carry On actor. Anyone think of any other cricketers who could have starred alongside Bernard Bresslaw, Charles Hawtrey and Sid James?

0545: India 52-0
First bowling change for Australia as Mitchell Johnson replaces Brett Lee after just four overs, although he serves up a wide delivery outside off stump for Gautam Gambhir to smear past point for the seventh boundary of the morning. And Gambhir moves to 21 with a single into the leg side. Meanwhile Virender Sehwag brings up India's 50 with a dreamy push into the covers which races to the boundary like Usain Bolt, beating the diving attempt of Michael Clarke positioned at a deepish cover. Absolutely sizzling start from the Indian openers, could be buffet time here.

0539: India 43-0
Vintage Sehwag as he clips off his legs through mid-wicket for four, utilising the pace of ball as Siddle strays on to his pads, which is a bit like tossing huge chunks of flesh at a starving lion. The next ball follows exactly the same pattern - and result - as the previous delivery. Ominous signs for the Aussies, who could be set for a prolonged stay in the field.

0535: India 34-0
Brett "Binga" Lee beats Gautam Gambhir with a brute of a delivery outside off stump. But Gambhir ends the over with the most picture-perfect front-foot drive through cover for a boundary. You could write poetry about shots like that.

0531: India 30-0
I'm now seeing a bit of Andre Nel - albeit a lot smoother - in Peter Siddle's action. His short ginger hair and dab of suncream make him look more like former Aussie speedster Craig McDermott in appearance. Maiden over.

0526: India 30-0
Sehwag launches into a 92mph Brett Lee delivery on the up through the covers for another three, which tells you everything you need to know about the consistency of this wicket. Also, this PCA outfield is huge. Not too many spectators about, though.

0523: India 25-0
Siddle beats Sehwag with a beauty outside off stump before the batsman runs the next ball past second slip all along the grass for four. Good pace and bounce in this wicket, but minimal lateral movement so far. This looks like a belting toss for Dhoni to win. The pitch is likely to wear and deteriorate, so Amit Mishra and Harbhajan could tuck in come day three and four.

0518: India 21-0
This may be a tad premature, but batting looks a bit of a doddle on this surface. Gautam Gambhir pushes a ball into the covers, which races away towards the boundary before being hauled back 15m before the rope for two. Virender Sehwag - who will never perish wondering - launches into a wide Lee delivery, which just evades a diving Mike Hussey at gully before rolling down to third man for a single. Third man? Third over of a Test? Mind you, Viru loves that aerial cut shot, so it's probably an astute call from Punter.

0514: India 17-0
Peter Siddle is handed the new ball and the 23-year-old rattles Gambhir on the back of the helmet with a snorter of a bouncer . The left-handed opener misreads the length and attempts to duck out of harm's way, only forgetting to keep his eyes on the ball. My colleague Oliver Brett - sitting to my left - says Siddle has a bowling action similar to England one-Test wonder Darren Pattinson, which is a very good shout. He serves up a half volley to Gambhir, which is dispatched to the cover boundary for three. I can't remember India running three for the whole of the first Test. Virender Sehwag gets under way with a boundary, helping a leg-side delivery around the corner for four with a flick of his wrists.

0507: India 10-0
Former Aussie batsman Allan Border reckons there will be plenty of bounce on this surface, not that it bothers Gautam Gambhir, who punches a full Lee delivery - with little swing compared to his opening overs in Bangalore - beautifully through mid-on for four. Shades of Steve Harmison in Brisbane circa 2006 as Lee sends a wild delivery past a spreadeagled Brad Haddin and Matthew Hayden at first slip, which rolls away for four wides. But top comeback from Lee, who has Gambhir groping outside off stump with a delivery which holds its line and beats the batsman's outside edge. Gambhir turns a ball on his leg stump to square leg for a single, eventful start. Hear that? That's me rubbing my hands in glee.

0459: The openers - Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag - are out in bright, belting Punjabi sunshine and Brett Lee will open proceedings. Ding ding!

0457: Peter Siddle - sounds like a Carry On character to me, Bernard Bresslaw was always my favourite. Carry On Up the Kyber is miles better than Carry On Camping, no matter what anyone tells you.

Siddle took 33 Pura Cup wickets for Victoria and apparently has the ability to swing the ball at good pace. Wonder how he will get on with this surface... The pitch is said to be pretty solid, with a smattering of grass, so Ricky Ponting may not be crying into his chai after losing the toss.

0445: Morning team Border-Gasvaskar - it's all kicking off in Mohali - captain Anil Kumble has failed to recover from a shoulder injury, so Mahendra Singh Dhoni will captain India for only the second time in a Test match - he led India against South Africa at Kanpur in April earlier this year. Leg-spinner Amit Mishra has been drafted in to the Indian XI for his Test debut, so no place for fast bowler Munaf Patel, who had been in contention for selection.

Dhoni has won the toss and elected to bat first on the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium strip, which by all accounts is flatter than the housing market. Australia have handed seam bowler Peter Siddle his debut in place of the injured Stuart Clark.