England skipper Joe Root is on the right track for a second double hundred in three matches as he alongside along with his deputy Ben Stokes guided the guests to a commanding 355/3 at lunch on day two of the opening Take a look at in opposition to India on Saturday.
Root, who scored a double hundred and an enormous century in his earlier two checks in Sri Lanka, was batting on 156 on the break in his one centesimal Take a look at. His companion, Stokes, who’s making his return to red-ball cricket since August final 12 months, is batting on 63 on the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Resuming from the in a single day rating of 263/3, the English skipper maintained his assured method in opposition to the Indian assault, which might solely handle a few half-hearted lbw appeals in opposition to him.
In the meantime, Stokes sought to impose himself on India’s tired-looking assault and gave an early indication of his mindset by hitting off-spinner R Ashwin over his head for a six. He additionally often opted for the sweep shot to negate no matter flip the pitch provided.
India’s desperation confirmed once they opted for back-to-back critiques, each in useless, after lbw appeals in opposition to Stokes and Root had been turned down. The closest the hosts got here to claiming a wicket was when Ashwin dropped a return catch from Stokes on 31. Within the following over, Stokes` slog-sweep brushed a diving Cheteshwar Pujara`s fingers at midwicket.
– with Reuters enter