Deep Dasgupta's debut Test century was a perfect wedding anniversary present for his parents.

Father Viplab Dasgupta, who was in Mohali as his son reached three figures, told Test Match Special: "My son has made me proud. It's a great moment."

Click here for full scorecard from Mohali (India 262-3; England 238 all out)

Deep, 23, was taken as a a six-year-old by his father to watch the great Sunil Gavaskar in the nets in Delhi.

"He used to pick up the ball and throw it to Gavaskar," said Viplab.

Overwhelmed at sharing the Test Match Special commentary box with Gavaskar himself, Viplab said: "I'm very much moved that I'm sitting with an icon."

Dasgupta senior went on: "Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary and I asked him: 'What gift are you going to give us? Are you going to give us a ton?'

Capable

"It's a great day for us. If you are a wicket-keeper, 30-40 is OK, but if you want to be the top you have to get a century.

"So many people don't know in their mind that they can do it. But he's always very capable. He always studies cricket and he's a great learner."

Dasgupta junior first served notice of his ability with the bat in the Test arena when he hit a half-century opening for India against South Africa in the Port Elizabeth Test last month.

His father added: "In one-dayers, batting at number six or seven is difficult for him because he's a slow starter. There you have to hit out, but he cannot do it like that."

No matter. In Dasgupta, India appear to have solved a problem at the top of the order, and he has five more chances to show his worth in this series against England.