OTD| Joe Root’s 218 in his 100th Test helped England register a massive win over India in 2021

Similar to this time England also started their last Test series in India in 2021 with a memorable victory in the first Test at Chennai. Captain Joe Root was the lead protagonist for England in that encounter who was also playing his 100th Test match. Root smashed a double century to guide his team to a valuable lead in the series. 

Root rules the roost

The English skipper won the toss and made a predictable decision of batting first. England started well with openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley adding 63 runs for the first wicket. However, the gains made by this start quickly vanished as India took wickets in quick succession to put the visitors in a spot of bother. But Joe Root did not let the home side run away with the momentum. He built a massive 200-run partnership with Dom Sibley to take control of the proceedings once again. After Sibley’s dismissal, Root got the assistance from Ben Stokes. The duo stitched another valuable partnership which consolidated England’s position in the first innings. 

Joe Root wielded dominance while he was on the crease and went back to the pavilion with 218 runs to his name. It was another masterclass from Root in Indian conditions. The former English captain has had a successful stint with the bat in India which is not an easy job for any overseas batter. 

Thumping victory for England

Joe Root’s double century put England in the pole position as they posted 578 runs in the first innings. This first innings total gave England leverage to put India under pressure and they did exactly that. India crumbled under pressure and conceded a huge lead at the end of the first innings which was later exploited by England to post a huge target. In the second innings England had the authority with the ball as they restricted India to a score of 192 winning the match by 227 runs. Root was awarded the player of the match for his influential contribution with the bat.

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