4th Test Day-1 Session-2 Highlights: Resolute Root steers England back on course.
England 198/5 Before Tea:
A resolute Joe Root, in conjunction with Ben Foakes, forged an unbroken 86-run partnership as England steadily recuperated, navigating the second session without surrendering a wicket following the loss of five in the initial phase.
Root, previously under scrutiny, eschewed flamboyant strokes, adopting a more classical approach on a pitch favoring bowlers.
His defensive strategy facilitated steady rotation of the strike as the pitch stabilized.
Securing his maiden half-century of the series, Root became the linchpin around which England persevered.
Foakes provided valuable support, exhibiting reluctance to attempt risky sweeps on a challenging surface prone to unpredictable bounce.
This pivotal alliance countered a tumultuous top-order collapse triggered by debutant pacer Akash Deep in the morning session.
The pitch, conducive to both spin and pace, elicited numerous LBW appeals and reviews, initially favoring India before fortunes reversed by the session’s end.
Amidst the clamor, England seized opportunities, with brief but impactful contributions from Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow bolstering their first innings total.
Akash Deep’s debut showcased his ability to extract movement, unsettling England’s openers and claiming key wickets.
Bairstow’s aggressive stance, coupled with Root’s vigilance, mounted pressure on India until Bairstow’s dismissal via LBW off Ashwin.
India further capitalized with Jadeja dismissing Stokes, capitalizing on the pitch’s early indications of deteriorating conditions.
However, England’s resilience during the second session hinted at a potential substantial first innings total led by Root, offering a glimpse of their determination to overcome the challenges posed by the pitch.
Leave a Reply