Cook crossed 10 time zones to make his Test debut

Essex coach Gooch watched on TV as his charge hit 60 on debut against India.

"He wasn't ruffled by the situation. I thought he handled it well, especially the Indian spinners," said Gooch.

"He's got a lot to learn, he's got to enhance his game in terms of options against spinners but he did a good job for his country."

Speaking after stumps on day one, with England 246-7, Cook admitted facing top-class spin was a new experience.

And he claimed his dash half-way round the world may have been a benefit to his preparation.

"It's almost been the best way, straight into playing with not too much time to think about it," Cook said.

"Against the great spinners you've just got to try and survive because I haven't really faced them before."

"They vary their pace so much and have variation you don't see unless you play against world-class spinners."

He's got a good temperament which will stand him in good stead for his career Graham Gooch

Cook has been a regular part of the Essex side for the last two years, and was named English cricket's young player of the year last season.

And he demonstrated his ability with a knock of 214 against Australia in a two-day tour game before the final Ashes Test.

"He stepped up a grade straight away and that's due to his temperament, the way he works at his game - he's very keen to learn," Gooch continued.

"When you first come into international cricket you have to handle the cauldron of pressure.

"When you play county cricket the bowlers are of good quality but the pressure's not there."

Gooch, who was on holiday at the time, watched Cook score a century for England A in Antigua less than a fortnight ago.

The 21-year-old only arrived in India on Sunday, crossing 10 time-zones after being called in when Marcus Trescothick went home for family reasons.

"He played like I expected him to," Gooch told BBC Test Match Special.