The hosts did not finish off the tail as easily as was expected, with Ajit Agarkar leading a splendid rearguard effort with an unbeaten 109.

But after sealing victory Hussain said: "We had to work hard for five days to be honest - that India batting line-up is something special and the wicket got flatter.

"But I'm proud of my team - to bowl that side out twice is a great effort."

Hussain, also voted man of the match for his first innings century, continued: "People are coming in and doing well and people are batting well - so it looks good.

"But there are some ominous signs for the rest of the summer with the way they (India) batted.

"We've got things we have to improve on - but we're going pretty well at the moment.

"This Test was a real team effort. We rotated the bowlers and everyone got wickets and runs.

"Everyone had to hold their hands up in the heat - and they did - although it got cooler when (Sachin) Tendulkar got out."

Explaining the decision not to enforce the follow-on, he added: "I discussed the declaration with Duncan (Fletcher).

"We decided that with heat and forecast to ask our team to bowl for three days continuous was a bit much - I think we got it just about right."

India captain Sourav Ganguly said: "We batted pretty well but England had better discipline in the first three days and deserved to win.

"We had our chances but Nasser and his boys played well under pressure.

"All touring sides have problems with the first Test when they travel abroad but we can take positive things from this game. There's a lot of cricket left in this series."