England skipper Root scores third ton to torment India
England captain scores third consecutive ton to pile misery on listless India on second day
Skipper Joe Root batted like a dream while Dawid Malan struck a sublime fifty in his comeback game as England piled misery on India to reach 423 for eight at stumps on day two of the second Test here on Thursday.
The host dominated the day’s proceedings extending its lead by a whopping 345 runs. Runs came thick and fast for England in the afternoon session as India bowlers appeared toothless, both with old and new ball.
Root notched up his sixth century this season, and third on the trot, in a sublime knock of 121 (165b, 14x4) and, along with Malan 70 (128b, 11x4), shared a 139-run stand off 189 balls before the southpaw picked up a faint edge while trying to flick Mohammad Siraj at the stroke of tea.
Indian pacers, who scripted a memorable win at Lord’s, bowled too many boundary balls and the England duo was quick to put them away. The pitch seems to have eased out considerably for the batsman after India collapsed to 78 all out on day one.
Root, who had been singlehandedly carrying the batting responsibilities, got much need support from Malan, who has made an instant impact in his first Test in three years.
Indian bowlers have not been able to trouble Root so far in the series and the skipper scored runs at will on Thursday. He seems to be in the form of his life and reached his 51st fifty off just 57 balls with a gorgeous back foot punch through the covers. Malan too played some delightful strokes and was brutal as well as elegant on the off-side. Besides the cover drives and rasping cut shots, he also effectively used the glide to third man region.
With England looking good to bat India out of the game, the visitor will need to produce something special to bounce back. In the morning session, India struck twice but it was not enough to put England under pressure. Mohammad Shami looked the most threatening among the four Indian fast bowlers, who did not get enough seam or swing movement for the second day running.
Brief scores: India (1st innings) 78 vs England (1st innings) 423/8 in 129 overs (J Root 121, D Malan 70, H Hameed 68, R Burns 61, M Shami 3/87)