'Was Desperate To Get Some Runs': Joe Root On His Heroic Ton In IND vs ENG Ranchi Test

Courtesy of Joe Root's exceptional 31st Test century, remaining unbeaten on 122 from 274 balls, England amassed a substantial first innings total of 353 runs.

Ton-up Joe Root is now much more relaxed, especially considering that in his previous six innings, his highest score was just 39 runs.

Source : Getty Images

England's star batter Joe Root expressed confidence that his team has firmly grasped control of the ongoing IND vs ENG 4th Test in Ranchi against hosts India. At stumps on Day 2, England held a commanding position. Their two spinners - Shoaib Bashir (4 wickets) and Tom Hartley (2 wickets) - left India reeling at 219/7, still trailing by a sizeable 134 runs by the end of the day's play.

England, batting first, managed to score 353 runs while losing all 10 wickets in their first innings. In reply, by the end of the second day's play, India had scored 219 runs, with Kuldeep Yadav (17) and Dhruv Jurel (30) remaining unbeaten, saving their team from a major embarrassment with an unbroken 42-run stand.

Courtesy of Joe Root's exceptional 31st Test century, remaining unbeaten on 122 from 274 balls, England amassed a substantial first innings total of 353 runs.

"We had a good couple of days. That’s how I play every game really, play according to the situation and conditions (when asked if he made a conscious effort to play attritional cricket). It looks like the pitch will keep deteriorating. I must admit it did cross my mind (to play the reverse scoop when on 96) but it was not a great option as the wicket was keeping low unlike the previous wicket," Joe Root said after Stumps on Day 2.

Ton-up Root is now much more relaxed, especially considering that in his previous six innings, his highest score was just 39 runs.

"I was desperate to get some runs for the guys and I was happy to do that today. I have used him (Stokes with the ball) a fair bit when I was captain and he can do the same with me. Seeing the two young spinners perform like that is encouraging for England cricket. I hadn’t seen much of him (Bashir) before this series but he is a great character and has a sense of humor, it was great to see him keep coming at the batters," Root concluded.