There are times when a low-scoring day can be absorbing. Yesterday in Mohali was not one of those days, writes Mike Atherton in the Times.
It turned out, though, that they had been teasing us all along. There we were ready for some Indian hammer in the afternoon and a late declaration to set up a nervy last day, when Pietersen's men showed their mettle. They may not return to England with much silverware but there have been times - and the afternoon session was one of those - when they have looked like a team in the making. It is what makes the batting collapse in Mohali, and the second-innings performance in Madras (Chennai) so infuriating. Do we expect too much, I wonder?
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has shown some crafty captaincy, as he and rival captain Kevin Pietersen both develop their leadership styles in the international game, writes Simon Hughes in the Telegraph.
The spotlight in India these last 10 days has been on two relatively raw Test captains: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who can boast an immaculate record of played four, won four, and Kevin Pietersen, who has won one and lost one. Pietersen's strategies were a little stereotyped in Madras, though he has been better here, and the real proof of a captain is how instinctive he can be. Sometimes he needs to put aside the carefully-laid plans and go with his own hunches. Dhoni has distinguished himself in this area. The obvious example is in bringing on Yuvraj Singh when Pietersen comes to the crease.
Sehwag's moment of madness should make it easier for England to bat out a draw, writes Vic Marks in the Guardian.
Sehwag's departure transformed Jimmy Anderson's day. As usual Sehwag had been treating Anderson's bowling as cannon fodder. But once Sehwag had gone Anderson found his rhythm and the ball, for the first time in this series, began to swing for him. He bowled a succession of maidens and dismissed a distinctly mortal Sachin Tendulkar.
For most of the afternoon in the second Test yesterday it was somnolent stuff. Events proceeded at such a pace that it was as if the early-morning smog which had enveloped the ground and its environs had stifled all ambition, writes Stephen Brenkley in the Independent.