Mighty Joe lands a double, India wilt

England skipper’s 218 takes visitors to 555/8 on Day 2 as hosts continue to toil on slow Chennai pitch

NEW DELHI: Jasprit Bumrah gently reminded the entrenched Joe Root and new batsman Ben Stokes early in the morning that even on a slow pitch, England could not rule out an Indian bowling fightback. Two yorkers, both from Bumrah, conveyed that to the batsmen.

The first, delivered from around the stumps, swung into Stokes, who kept it out. The other left Root a touch uncertain. The response though was the same on both occasions— boundaries off the next delivery. It was a theme that played out through the second day of the first Test at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday.

Each time India created chances, which were rare in the first two sessions, or hinted at tightening things, the two England batsmen broke free with strokeplay. Stokes, in particular, upset the bowling rhythm with his aggression until he fell for a 118-ball 82 (10x4, 3x6), missing his century.

Root recovered from overnight cramp as he dipped into rich reserves of energy, completing his maiden double century against India with a six over long on off Ravichandran Ashwin. It was his second double century in a fortnight, the first by an overseas batsman in India since Brendon Mccullum’s 225 in 2010.

Root’s marathon knock lasted four minutes short of nine hours (377 balls, 19x4, 2x6). He is the first to score a double hundred in his 100th Test. Root is also the only Test captain other than Don Bradman to score 150-plus in three consecutive matches.

The grand effort ensured

England ended the second day on 555/8. Root’s wish to put up a 600-plus total still looks achievable with Dom Bess (28*) and Jack Leach (6*) having raised 30 for the ninth wicket.