during February 23, 2024, during the first day of the fourth Test cricket match between India and England at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) Stadium in Ranchi, England’s Joe Root celebrates after hitting a century (100 runs).AFP
In the fourth Test on Friday, Indian fast bowler Akash Deep claimed three wickets in his debut, but Joe Root struck an unbroken 106 to spearhead England’s comeback from early difficulties.
Following their decision to bat first in Ranchi, England, behind 2-1 in the five-match series, reached stumps at 302-7.
The tourists fell to 112-5, but Root, who had only scored 77 runs in his previous six innings, recovered to put on a 113-run partnership with Ben Foakes, the wicketkeeper-batsman, who scored 47.
Following a barrage of criticism for losing his wicket off a reverse scoop during England’s third Test defeat, Root achieved his 31st Test century.
After hitting a boundary off Deep to get his hundred, the seasoned batsman removed his helmet and hoisted his bat to a standing ovation from the England players and supporters.
England’s unexpectedly patient batting display, a brief diversion from their aggressive “Bazball” style, saw Root and Foakes remain composed and deny India a wicket in the afternoon session.
then tea, Siraj was called back into the attack, and the speedster bowled Tom Hartley for 13 then swung the ball to get Foakes caught at mid-wicket.
With just nine boundaries in his 226 balls, Root continued to bat.
When Ben Duckett was caught behind for 11, Deep claimed his first wicket in an international match.
Two balls later, he struck once more to trap Ollie Pope leg before wicket for a duck. The on-field umpire rejected the call, but India successfully challenged it as the tracker indicated the ball would have touched the top of the stump.
After that, Deep bowled Crawley again beautifully, darting in to the opening and rattling the stumps, and in just the first hour of play, England was down to 57-3.
Before Jonny Bairstow was out of the game after 38 balls by Ravichandran Ashwin, Root and Bairstow combined for 52 runs. This was another successful Indian review.
At the stroke of lunch, England’s skipper Ben Stokes was trapped lbw for three by Ravindra Jadeja, leaving him in severe
