RANCHI: Experienced batter Joe Root scored a gutsy century to recover England from a dismal on Day 1 of the fourth Test against India here at JSCA International Stadium Complex on Friday.
Opting to bat first, the touring side amassed 302/7 on the opening day of the Ranchi Test. England are fighting to stay alive in the five-match series, led by India 2-1.
The visitors had a shaky start to their innings as debutant pacer Akash Deep took three wickets to reduce them to 112-5.
But, Joe Root, who had just 77 runs to his name in the previous six innings, found his form at the right time and launched an astounding recovery.
Root put together an anchoring 113-run stand with wicketkeeper batter Ben Foakes, who scored 47.
Right-arm pacer Mohammed Siraj broke the threatening partnership by getting Foakes caught at short midwicket. He smashed four boundaries and a six amid his crucial knock.
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Siraj then struck again to castle England’s opening Test hero Tom Hartley on 13 as England slipped further to 245/7.
But Joe Root, undeterred by the back-to-back dismissals, stood his ground firm and knitted another vital partnership for England when he added an unbeaten 57 runs for the eighth wicket with Ollie Robbinson.
The experienced batter brought up his century by smashing Deep for a boundary and received a standing ovation from England fans and players.
Joe Root smashed only nine boundaries during his fighting knock, showcasing utmost patience and resilience on a cracked pitch.
At the closure of play, Root was unbeaten on 106 while Robbinson had made 31 not out.
Akash Deep led the bowling attack for India with three wickets, followed by Siraj, who bagged two while Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin made one scalp each.