The wicketkeeper nullified England's new-ball bowling attack during his patient innings of 100 at the top of the order in the first Test in Mohali.

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And he believes he should be given the dual job of opening the innings and keeping wicket for India full-time after scoring his maiden Test cebtury.

"It is not difficult to do both jobs. It's all about fitness and I am confident I can do both," he said.

"But I have to improve my 'keeping. One has to keep learning all the time.

"The century has not sunk in yet. I still do not believe that I have scored a century in Tests.

"I had my share of problems in the innings because they bowled very well. My job was to see off the new ball and Rahul Dravid helped me keep my cool when I was close to my century."

England off-spinner Richard Dawson refuses to write of his side's chances of getting a result despite being dominated by Dasgupta and India.

Dawson had a dream start to his Test debut by taking the wicket of Anil Kumble in his second over.

Jelly-legged

And he thinks England can still turn things around in the first Mohali.

"We came here to play Test cricket and you need to get 20 wickets to win a match," he said.

"It is obviously going to be difficult on any day against them but just because we didn't get many wickets today it doesn't mean we won't tomorrow.

"Personally I was happy. I wasn't expecting it to be easy and I didn't set any goals.

"I hoped to get a wicket sooner rather than later, which I did and it made it easier at that moment in time because with the big crowd it's possible to get jelly-legged."