Former captain Sunil Gavaskar feels openerVirender Sehwag's decision to make a departure from his 'see the ball, hit theball' approach went a long way in helping him score his first Test century intwo years, here today.
Sehwag smashed a run-a-ball 117 to put India in the driver'sseat on day one of the first Test against England.
"'See the ball, hit the ball' - that is not quite the attitudeof Test cricket. It is a wrong thing he was looking to do. Now, he playedhimself in, you have got to spend time in the middle," Gavaskar said.
Gavaskar was disappointed that Sehwag could not go on to scorea double hundred.
"He was pretty determined, putting his head down. It'sa pity that he was not able to make a double century. That would have taken away the game from England.
"I am disappointed, even he will be disappointed. When onegets to a century after a long time, one always likes to go on. But he has donehis job. It is just a personal disappointment.
"That he hasscored a century after so long means we can expect him to make a few more innot just this series but also in the the season ahead," Gavaskar told'NDTV'.
The last time Sehwaghad scored a Test century was against South Africa in November 2010.
Apart from Sehwag, Cheteshwar Pujara was the other Indian batsmanto impress at the Sardar Patel stadium, remaining unbeaten on 98 at stumps.
"We all knowthat he has got a very good temperament. We saw that when he scored that 70against Australia before scoring a hundred against New Zealand.
"But the realtest for both batsman and bowler comes overseas and that's where he will haveto show whether he is an able replacement for Rahul Dravid," Gavaskarsaid.
About Tendulkargetting out for a low score, Gavaskar said "it's not a cause forconcern".
The former captainadvised the Indian bowlers to hit the right length and not be afraid of givingthe ball air.
"It's going toslow down. With the second new ball, we saw that the ball was rarely goingbeyond the knee. If they hit the right length India might win the match in fourdays.
They should not be afraid of tossing the ball around, that'swhen you can get the batsman to commit on the front foot."
He added, "Indiashould look to score another 100-150 runs."
He said the solidplatform laid by the opening duo of Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir gave India theadvantage.
"If the openers set a good platform, batting becomes easier.That is why India is in such a sound position."