Joe Root scored his third century of the series as he displayed great batting skills to pile on the misery of the Indian bowlers. After a good opening stand of 135 by the England openers, Root capitalised and played a captain’s knock scoring 121 off 165 deliveries. He maintained a strike rate of almost 74 as the Indian bowlers had no answers to his masterclass with the bat. In the process of getting his ton, he added key partnerships with Dawid Malan (139) and Jonny Bairstow (52).
Malan scored a crucial 70 in his comeback Test while Bairstow scored a quickfire 29 and pushed the scoring rate in the final session. This was the first time in the series that England’s yop four scored fifty-plus scores in the same innings. The inclusion of Malan has resolved the top-order problems and also Burns and Hameed spending more time at the wicket has worked to their advantage.
Joe Root Notches Up His Third Ton Of This Test Series
Root powers his way to 3rd century of the series with a neat flick off his pads
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Joe Root looked set to possibly get a double hundred in this innings as he looked in no trouble whatsoever. He played equally of both front and back foot and scored all round the dial. He also kept the scoreboard moving by taking easy singles on offer.
Finally, Jasprit Bumrah got a delivery coming into him and getting through the defenses of the England skipper who will then played flawless cricket.
A brilliant Bumrah delivery nips back to go through Root's defences and hit the woodwork.
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The match was set up by the England pacers led by James Anderson. He dismissed India’s top-order to end hopes of getting a big first-innings total. Eventually, the side was bowled out for 78 in their first innings.
England are inching closer to a lead of 400 in the first innings and with enough time left in the Test match, they would look to add on as many as possible till they are bowled out.
For India, Mohammed Shami has picked up three wickets with Ravindra Jadeja picking two. Siraj and Bumrah picked one each.
Also Read: ENG vs IND 2021 Watch: Ravindra Jadeja Castles Haseeb Hameed With A Great Delivery
