The second day of the first Test at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai was a complete English delicacy and Indian bowlers could do a little till Joe Root blossomed at the crease. The 30-year-old England skipper from Yorkshire continued his superlative form and became the first batsman in the history of Test cricket to score a double century in his 100th Test match. Overall this was his fifth double ton. In the perilous Chennai heat, Root rooted his outstanding form in Chennai.
Apart from Root’s (218 off 377) phenomenal double century, the strapping partnerships helped England go past 550. Root matched better than any other batter with the Indian condition. Ben Stokes scored 82 off 118. The day displayed a lot of mental war as England piled on runs and shifted the pressure on India. England anchored four 50+ and two 30+ partnerships.
The Indian bowlers defended their character and grit while bowling on the unresponsive pitch in the beginning. Later the deck offered a little bit to the spinners as the ball started to move a tad bit. Ishant Sharma’s reverse swings helped him to get his 299th Test wicket in form of Jofra Archer. Except Washington Sundar the other regular bowlers shared two wickets each.
England will try to rack up quick runs as the game resumes on tomorrow and India will try to wrap up England’s innings. Dom Bess and Jack Leach unbeaten on 28 and 6. England- 555/8.