England talismanic batter Joe Root returned to his form as he scored gritty fifty on Day 1 of the ongoing fourth Test against India at JCA Cricket Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Friday, February 23.
England resumed their innings at 112/5 in 24.1 overs, with Joe Root batting on 16. The visitors suffered a early collapse in the opening session of Day 1 as Akash Deep rattled their top-order of the batting line-up.
England were reeling at 57/3 before Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow stitched 52-run partnership for the fourth wicket to take the team past 100-run mark.
In the second session, Joe Root and Ben Foakes steadied England's batting after early collapse in the morning of Day 1. Root led the visitors' batting as Foakes played as a second fiddle in order to ensure England didn't lose any wicket towards the end of second session.
For the first time in the ongoing Test series, England didn't lose a single wicket in a session, thanks to unbeaten 86-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Joe Root and Ben Foakes.
Joe Root shut critics with half-century
Former England captain Joe Root was criticized for his dismal run of form in the last three Tests of the ongoing series. The 33-year-old managed to silence his critics by scoring a half-century.
Root stepped up when the needed him the most. He put the Bazball approach in the wardrobeand played his natural cricket. Throughout the session, Joe Root didn't attempt a reverse sweep or reverse scoop unlike last three matches of the series.
Before the fourth Test, Root scored mere 77 runs at an abysmal average of 12.83, with the highest score of 29 across six innings.
Before lunch, Joe Root scored an unbeaten 67 off 154 balls to help England put in a commanding position after early topple in their batting.
At the end of the second session, England posted a total of 198/5 in 61 overs. Ben Foakes provided enough support to Joe Root and scored an unbeaten 28 off 104 balls. The visitors will look keep their ship sailing and ensure no fall of wickets towards the close of play.
