but mohammed siraj

JSCA International Stadium: Joe Root shelved the Bazball methods to get back to playing attritional cricket and that paid off as he led England’s fightback with an unbeaten century to carry England to 302/7 at stumps on Day One of the fourth Test against India at the JSCA International Stadium here on Friday.

Root's sublime 106 not out off 226 balls, his 31st century in the format and also his tenth Test hundred against India, was laced with nine fours, helped England cross 300 after being 112/5 at lunch, with debutant fast-bowler Akash Deep taking first three scalps.

Root got ample support from Ben Foakes (47) and Ollie Robinson (31 not out) to stitch partnerships of 113 and an unbeaten 57 respectively on a pitch which looked cracker and had traces of variable bounce, seam movement and turn to keep England on top at the end of first day’s play.