After over a year, International Cricket finally returned back to India as they hosted one of their major rivals England. The series of 4 Test Matches with 5 T20Is and 5ODIs will be played along 3 cities in India namely Chennai, Ahmedabad and Pune.
England continued their sub continent tour having beaten Sri Lanka apprehensively in the 2 match test series, whereas India came back at home with a stunning 2-1 series win in the Border-Gavasakar Trophy against Australia. With New Zealand already booking their place in the World Test Championship finals, these series can decided who joins them in the Finals.
England Captain Joe Root who was playing his 100th test match won the toss and elected to bat. India had Virat Kohli back after he left the test series against Australia for private reasons.
Rory Burns and Dom Sibley started off good playing defensively without taking any major risk. They duo gave England a good start. The duo added 63 runs for the opening partnership before Burns was sent back by Ravichandran Ashwin. Burns tried to reverse sweep it and missed it as the ball kissed his gloves and went into the hands of wicket keeper Rishabh Pant.
A quick second wicket followed for India as Dan Lawrence tried to flick the ball but failed it and the ball strucked his pads. The umpire raised his finger and Lawrence after discussing with his Partner decided not to review it which was a good call as the Ball Tracking proved it was out. Suddenly England went from 63/0 to 63/2. Out came England's Skipper Joe Root.
After stabilizing the innings the duo kept the scoreboard tiking. Soon after Root had completed his half Century, he decided to put the leg on the gas pedal as Sibley continued to keep supporting him.
Joe Root completed a magnificent hundred. This was his 20th test century in 100 test matches. On a time when he had to prove himself, the Skipper lead from the front and laid an example for the others.
Indian Bowlers were left frustrated as they failed to pick up another wicket till the last over of the day. With 4 balls left to go, Sibley was judged LBW from Jasprit Bumrah. He took the review and the ball tracking showed three reds ending his stay at the crease. A quite fantastic knock from him contributing 87 runs from 286 balls. The partnership of 200 with Joe Root has certainly put the visitors in commanding lead with Root still in the middle at 128 runs from 197 balls.
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