Joe Root’s unbeaten 106 nullifies India of bowling England out in Ranchi, as tourists battle back on Day one. On the back of two successive defeats, Ben Stokes’s side were looking to bounce back in the five-match Series against India.
The tourists were trailing 2-1, courtesy of a sensational all-round display by Ravindra Jadeja at Rajkot.
It was England, who won the toss and elected to bat first on a dry looking pitch at the JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi. They made two changes with Ollie Robinson and Shoaib Bashir replacing Mark Wood and Rehan Ahmed.
The hosts made just one change, with Akash Deep making his debut in place of Jasprit Bumrah. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett got England off to a brisk start, scoring 47 in the first 9.1 Overs.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut the debutant gave India the breakthrough, with the wicket of Duckett at 47-1. This was a sigh of relief for the Bengal speedster, who should have had Crawley earlier but was denied because of a no ball.
Embed from Getty ImagesDeep made it back-to-back wickets for India, by getting Ollie Pope at 47-2.
Embed from Getty ImagesCrawley continued to take on the bowling.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut just as he was shifting gears, Deep got his third wicket, by bowling the tall right-hander through the gate at 57-3.
Embed from Getty ImagesJonny Bairstow began to attack the bowling.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe was timing the ball superbly.
Embed from Getty ImagesAt the other end, Root showed everyone why he is such a class act.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Yorkshire duo brought up their 50 partnerships in 56 balls.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut just as they were looking comfortable in the middle, Bairstow’s sweep off Ravichandran Ashwin backfired, as the canny off-spinner trapped him LBW for 38, at 109-4.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd Ravindra Jadeja made things worse for England, as he pinned the Captain in the crease at 112-5.
Embed from Getty ImagesSo, after a great start from England’s openers in the first half an hour, they were pegged back with some tight bowling by India’s bowlers.
It was then up to Root and Ben Foakes to steer England out of a tricky situation after Lunch.
Root reached 50 in 108 balls.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd he continued to dominate India’s bowlers.
England made sure they did not lose a wicket in the afternoon session as they went into tea 198-5.
Foakes brought up his and Root’s 100-partnership with an effortless six over mid-wicket.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut just as he was approaching 50, he spooned a catch to Jadeja at short mid-wicket for 47, at 225-6.
Embed from Getty ImagesTom Hartley came out to bat with aggressive intent.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut Siraj knocked him over with a beauty at 245-7.
Embed from Getty ImagesRoot was edging closer to his hundred.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhile Ollie Robinson took advantage of some tired Indian bowlers.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd England’s finest brought up his 31st test hundred in 218 balls.
Embed from Getty ImagesRobinson celebrated it with some big sixes of Kuldeep Yadav.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd he along with Root made sure that there was no more loss of wickets, as England batted out Day 1 302-7.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhat a thrilling opening day’s play at Ranchi, with England’s ace batsman unbeaten with a scintillating century.
It was a proper Test century, which was completely against England’s mantra of Bazball, which England so desperately needed.
Although India was hardly given a chance offered by England’s number four, will they rue not taking the new ball when it was due?
Rohit Sharma strangely opted not to use Kuldeep Yadav more often, as he only bowled 10 Overs out of the full 90.
Whether he was concerned about giving away too many runs is another matter to be discussed, but on the other side, he could have presented India with some more wicket taking opportunities.
Tomorrow promises another fascinating day to play of cricket.
Can Root and the tail get England beyond 350?
Can India Polish England’s first innings as soon as possible, and get batting?
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