Root became the first overseas batsman to make a Test century in India since 2013 Rafiq Maqbool/APJoe Root bolstered England’s belief that they can be competitive against India this winter with his 11th Test century on day one of the five-match series. Root (124) shared a stand of 179 with Moeen Ali (99*) as England reached stumps on 311 for four, after India’s spinners had briefly threatened to derail the tourists’ hopes of cashing in on winning the toss in Rajkot. From 102 for three at lunch, the Yorkshireman continued to drive all the spinners well through the off-side - and picked up runs with the sweep too - as he and Moeen consigned India to a wicketless middle session and took some of the heat out Ravi Ashwin’s reputation as the world’s best bowler. Moeen finished the day on 99 not out Amit Dave/ReutersRoot barely put a foot wrong…

Source: The Times November 09, 2016 12:07 UTC