Joe Root's century kept England ahead on Day 1 of the fourth Test of the five-match series at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) Stadium in Ranchi on Friday, February 23.
With the score at 198/5 at Tea, England was ahead in the game, but India was not very much behind. However, the post-Tea session saw the English score 104 runs in 29 overs and lost only two wickets. Ben Foakes was the first one to fall as he was caught at short mid-on by Ravindra Jadeja off the bowling of Mohammed Siraj, but not before he scored 47 and added 113 for the sixth wicket with Root. Siraj picked another as he cleaned up Tom Hartley.
However, Joe Root (106*) was not perturbed at all and he smashed his 31st century in Tests. Root was well supported by Ollie Robinson (31*) as the duo added an unbeaten 57 for the ninth wicket to take England to 302/7 at stumps on Day 1. In session battles, it's 2-1 to England at the moment.
India vs England 1st Test Day 1 Session 1 Report England was shaken early on as debutant Akash Deep bowled Zak Crawley. However, it turned out to be a no-ball. The openers then added 47 for the first wicket before Akash managed to get Ben Duckett by getting the English man caught behind. It was his maiden Test scalp. In the very same over, a DRS went in favour of the Indian side as Ollie Pope was hit on the knee roll and was on the 3m line out of the crease. In his next over Akash once again bowled Crawley through the gates to make it a sensational debut for him.
Jonny Bairstow was positive in his approach as he got 38 off just 35 balls before he went for a sweep shot that was not required to get out leg before wicket to Ravichandran Ashwin. The partnership of 52 runs between Joe Root and Bairstow was broken just before Lunch. However, the last blow was the most telling as England skipper Stokes departed for 3 on a ball that kept vehemently low to give Jadeja his first wicket of the match. A total of 112 runs were score din 24.1 overs at the loss of five wickets as India took the first session of the fourth Test.
Session 2 Report
Starting the session at 112/5, England batters managed to keep their calm and did not bother to play high-risk shots. The fifty partnership came up for the sixth between Joe Root and Ben Foakes. Root then went on to bring up his first fifty of the tour as the clouds took over the sky in Ranchi.
India lost all their reviews as Jadejaj appealed for LBW against Foakes and the umpire denied it. It was missing wickets. It was the only chance for the Rohit Sharma-led side as England added 86 runs to their score in 35.5 overs to reach Tea at 198/5 in 61 overs. In session battles, it's 1-1 at the moment.
The Indian team leads 2-1 after the end of the first three Tests.
Akash Deep was the only change for Team India in the playing 11 as he replaced Jasprit Bumrah. England have made two changes to their playing 11, bringing in Shoaib Bashir for Rehan Ahmed and Ollie Robinson for Mark Wood.
India will be eying a series win here while England would looking to take it Dharamsala for the fifth Test by winning this match.
 "IND vs ENG 4th Test Day 1 Highlights: Root's century takes England to 302/7")
