4th Test: Root's ton lifts England to 302/7 at stumps

Fri, 23 February 2024

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16:56

Root's ton lifts England to 302/7 at stumps

England 289-7 (87 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Joe Root's magnificent century led England's superb turnaround on Day 1 of the fourth Test in Ranchi.

England finish the opening day on 302/7 in their 90 overs with Root unbeaten 106 from 226 balls, while Robinson contributed with 31.

England ditched their 'Bazball' approach after a few early wickets in favour of a conservative approach with veteran Root leading the way as he battled it out in tough conditions before getting the visitors back on track.

Pacer Akash Deep enjoyed a dream debut as the pacer dismantled England's top order, firmly placing India in control as the visitors were reduced to 112/5 at lunch.

Root scripted England's comeback in the company of Ben Foakes as the duo put up a gritty partnership, bringing stability to England's innings.

Root and Foakes added 113 runs for the sixth wicket as England didn't lose a wicket in the entire session for the first time in the series.

Siraj rocked England as he dismissed Foakes and Hartley in the post-tea session but Root stitched together another good partnership with Robinson.

The duo have added 57 runs for the seventh wicket so far to give England the upper-hand in the must-win fourth Test.

India will need a few early wickets on the second day and dismiss England for under 350 as batting is expected to get difficult with every passing session.

16:33

Root's ton propels England into control

England 302-7 (90 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

The final over of the day is entrusted to Yashasvi Jaiswal, marking his inaugural over in Test cricket, despite having sent down a few deliveries with the white ball in previous encounters.

Root executes a precision cut, securing a single on the first delivery. Robinson follows up with a solid defensive stroke, and then dispatches the subsequent delivery for a boundary, propelling England past the 300-run markan admirable recovery after losing five wickets in the morning session. In the meantime, Robinson adds to the total with a well-placed cut for a single. The final two deliveries of the over see Root steadfastly defending.

16:27

Root hits century to rally England

England 296-7 (89 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Akash Deep continues, Root flicks for a quick single. Robinson showcases a solid defense on the following delivery. He expertly ducks under a bouncer, skillfully gathered by Jurel. Robinson attempts a swing but misses. The next delivery is full, resulting in a boundary. The umpire signals a no-ball for overstepping. Robinson concludes the over by whipping the ball away to deep square leg.

Kuldeep continues, Robinson nudges it towards leg side for no run. Manages to block next. Jurel does well to collect it. Defends it. Maiden over! England are 296-7 after 89 overs.

16:16

England recover after horror start

England 289-7 (87 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Kuldeep is back into the attack. Robinson defends the first two balls before Kuldeep beats him on the outside edge with the googly.

He clips the fourth ball to midwicket for a single and Root blocks the last two balls.

Akash Deep still bowling with the old ball. The first ball swings into Robinson but down the leg side as the right-hander glances it fine for two runs before he keeps out the rest of the over.

England were struggling on 112/5 at lunch but they have bounced back in the next two sessions courtesy of Root, to take their score to 282/7.

Kuldeep continues as Root clips the first ball for a single and Robinson after blocking a few slog sweeps the last ball for a six over midwicket/

16:06

Joe Root hits century!

England 279-7 (84 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Jadeja gives it a bit of air as Robinson smashes it straight back over the bowler's head for a four. The next ball turns a bit as Robinson is beaten trying to push at it before he keeps out the rest of the over.

Akash Deep continues as Root nudges the first ball square on the leg side for two runs. The next ball comes in sharply as Root is struck on the pads but the ball is clearly going down as the leg before shout is turned down.

Root clips the fourth ball through square leg for two runs before he hits a beautiful drive off the last ball through the covers for a four to bring up a wonderful century from 219 balls.

This is Root's 31st century and 10th against India as he bounces back in grand style after copping a lot of criticism for his dismissal off a reckless shot in the previous game.

16:02

Root, Robinson build England's total

England 267-7 (82 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

India don't take the second new ball as Jadeja continues. The spinner has a huge shout for leg before wicket turned down against Robinson. The ball has turned sharply and could have missed the stumps.

Umpire Dharmasena also warns captain Rohit Sharma that Jadeja is stepping into the danger area on the pitch.

India lose out on a wicket! The ball tracker shows that the ball hit in line and would have crashes into the off-stump.

India will regret not having a review for moments like this.

Pacer Akash Deep from the other end as India continue with the old ball.

He bowls a superb incoming delivery as Root gets an inside edge trying to dig it out. The ball goes fine on the leg side for a four to take Root into the 90s.

The next ball is full and on the pads as Rohit clips it for a couple of runs.

15:50

Siraj strikes again; England 7 down

England 260-7 (80 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Jadeja has done a lot of bowling so far as he sends down his 25th over in which he gives away just a single. Ashwin has also bowled quite a lot for 22 overs so far, while on the other hand, Kuldeep has got seven overs so far.

Siraj bowls a bit straight as Root glances it to fine leg for one and Robinson ducks under a bouncer before he blocks the next which is bowled on length.

Robinson steers the last ball behind point on the off-side for a couple of runs.

England are 260/7 in 80 overs but India decide against the second new ball.

15:41

Siraj strikes again; England 7 down

England 256-7 (78 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Jadeja is back into the attack. He bowls a high full toss to Robinson, who swings it over midwicket for a four. England also pocked an extra run as that is given a no-ball for a high full toss.

England are 251/7 in 77 overs with Root unbeaten on 82.

They will need their senior batter to guide them past the 300-run mark, which should be a challenging total on this pitch.

Siraj gets some reverse swing as Root inside edges it on the leg side before he gets just a single from a high full toss and Robinson takes one off the next.

Root plays a nice drive off a full delivery as substitute Devdutt Padikkal half stops it to keep it down to two followed by a single from the last ball.

15:30

Siraj strikes again; England 7 down

England 246-7 (76 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Hartley pushes Ashwin to mid-off and steals a risky single as Akash Deep at mid-off is unable to gather the ball.

Siraj continues as Hartley gets an outside edge off the second ball. It goes on the bounce to Shubman Gill at second slip, who is unable to stop and gives away a boundary.

Siraj gets his man next ball. The pacer gets some late movement to beat Hartley as the ball crashes into the off-stump.

Hartley is dismissed for 13 as England lose their seventh wicket.

Ollie Robinson survives a huge shout for leg before wicket as there was a big inside edge. He gets off the mark with a single from the last ball of the over.

15:21

Siraj strikes; England 6 down

England 240-6 (74 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Siraj continues as he gives away three singles in his ninth over. Root has done well to keep the Indian bowlers at bay with his dogged approach.

He hasn't played any fancy shots but has scored at a good clip to hit 81 from 186 balls.

Hartley takes the chance as the left-hander chips down the track to loft Ashwin wide of long-on for a six.

Ashwin gets revenge as Hartley is given out leg before wicket. He takes the review and there is a clear inside edge before the ball hits the pads as the decision is overturned.

Siraj bowls full but it is way down the leg side as Root misses the glance before the next ball bowled back on length strikes him high on the pads.

He inside edges the fourth ball trying to defend and keeps out the last two balls.

15:06

Siraj strikes; England 6 down

England 230-6 (71 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Ashwin from the other end. Root pushes the first ball into the off-side for a single and Hartley taps the next to square leg for one to get off the mark.

Nearly a run out as Root clips Ashwin to midwicket and wants a single as both batters set off before deciding against the run.

Siraj to Hartley as the left-hander defends watchfully before he is beaten last ball poking at one away from his body.

In the next over, Root plays the reverse sweep off Ashwin for two runs fine on the off-side and takes a single next ball.

14:54

Siraj strikes; England 6 down

England 225-6 (68 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Rohit brings back Siraj, hoping to break this partnership. Root clips the first ball off his pads for a single before Siraj strikes with the wicket of Foakes to end the partnership.

Foakes, who made 47, ends up flicking the ball straight to Jadeja at midwicket.

Foakes and Root got England back on track in the post-lunch session as they put on 113 runs for the sixth wicket.

Tom Hartley watchfully keeps out the last two balls of the over.

14:50

Root, Foakes revive England

England 224-5 (67 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Jadeja has kept things tight from his end while finishing off his overs quite quickly as he concedes just two singles from his 22nd over.

Similarly, Ashwin also gives away two singles in the following over as England continue to rebuild with caution.

A maiden over from Jadeja before Foakes breaks the shackles. He comes down the track to swing Ashwin over midwicket for a six.

Two balls later, Foakes sweeps Ashwin for a boundary square on the leg side and slog sweeps the spinner's next ball over midwicket for another four.

Foakes uses his feet as Ashwin gets the ball to go straight through as the edge flies behind point for two runs, to make it 16 runs from the over.

14:37

Root, Foakes take England past 200

England 204-5 (63 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Jadeja starts off with the ball in the post tea session. Root inside edges the first ball as he comes forward to defend before he blocks the next and then takes one on the off-side.

Foakes keeps out the last three balls to end the first over of the session.

In the next over, Root clips Ashwin with the spin for a single on the leg side to bring up England's 200, in the 63rd over.

A single to Foakes before Root gets two runs behind square on the leg side as the fielder in the deep fails to collect the ball cleanly.

14:13

Root, Foakes revive England

England 198-5 (61 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

A huge shout for leg before wicket against Foakes as Jadeja's arm ball which skids on straight strikes him on the pads.

The umpire gives it not out and Rohit needs a lot of convincing from the keeper and the bowler to take the review as India have just one left.

The ball has struck in line of the leg stump and going down as India end up losing their third and final review.

This could be a big handicap for India, not having any reviews against the England's lower order batters.

Ashwin concedes just a single in the final over of the session.

England go into the tea break on 198/5 in 61 overs, with Root on 67 and Foakes on 28 as the duo have put on 86 runs for the sixth wicket to get their team back on track.

India's over rate was superb but they will regret not taking a wicket as England scored 86 runs in 36.5 overs.

The highlight of the session was England abandoning their 'Bazball' approach for a much more conservative approach to wear out the Indian bowlers on a hot afternoon day.

For the first time in the series, England went wicketless in a session.

14:04

Root, Foakes keep India at bay

Ben Foakes

England 197-5 (59 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Jadeja is back into the attack and before you could realise he has finished bowling a maiden over to Root within two minutes.

Ashwin from over the wicket has two fielders quite close to each other at short midwicket and silly mid-on.

Foakes plays Ashwin with the spin to fine leg for a single and Root plays a cracking punch off the backfoot through the covers for a four as Ashwin bowls slightly short.

Root gets another boundary in the next over as he late cuts Jadeja past short thirdman.

After a cautious start in the first part of the session, Root and Foakes are growing in confidence and scoring at a good rate.

The duo have added 84 runs from 203 balls for the sixth wicket so far to revive England after a few early wickets.

The full ball from Ashwin keeps quite low beating Foakes as it goes under the bat and also wicketkeeper Jurel for a bye.

Extra bounce for Ashwin as Root is struck on the gloves but the ball falls safely on the leg side.

13:51

Root, Foakes keep India at bay

England 186-5 (55 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Ashwin continues as Root keeps out the first three balls and then takes a single on the leg side and Foakes blocks the last two balls.

In the next over, Root drives Kuldeep through the covers for a boundary despite a good effort from Ashwin with the slide.

Superb over rate from the Indians as we have already had 30 overs bowled with more than 20 minutes left in the session.

India's ground fielding has been quite good. This time Gill comes up with a diving stop at midwicket to deny Foakes some runs off Ashwin.

Foakes uses his feet to clip Ashwin through mdiwicket for a single and Root taps the last ball into the off-side for another quick run.

13:42

Root hits fifty to rally England

England 179-5 (52 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Ashwin comes back into the attack in place of Akash. Foakes uses his feet to drive Ashwin down to long-on for a single.

Root picks a single from the fifth ball to complete his fifty from 108 balls.

A huge relief for Root as he brings up his first fifty in the series, after six successive failures in the first three Tests.

Kuldeep is settling into a rhythm as he bowls another maiden over, this time to Root.

England are 176/5 in 50 overs, with Root on 50 and Foakes on 24.

In the next over, Root tries the sweep shot against Ashwin. The ball has gone has off the under edge and hits Jurel on the boots and falls safely on the leg side. Root clips the fifth ball to square leg for a single and Foakes keeps out the last ball.

No help for Kuldeep yet as England continue their good recovery. Root clips the fourth ball for a single on the leg side

13:29

Slow and steady, England rebuild

England 174-5 (48 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Root looking much more comfortable now. He plays the late cut/steer off Akash Deep using the pace of the bowler to guide it past gully for a four.

Akash bowls it on length at the line of the stumps getting some inward movement and Root up to the task as he keeps out the last five balls.

Kuldeep bowls a tidy, as he sends down six dots in a row to Foakes.

The pitch has settled down nicely post lunch. Akash again making the mistake of giving some width as Foakes flays it through the covers for a four.

Foakes not getting hold of the pull shot as he swats it towards the fielder at square leg.

Root, on 48, gets a lifeline as he glances Kuldeep fine with wicketkeeper Jurel putting down a very tough chance down the leg side, infact that was very tough and he does well to get his gloves on it.

The umpire rules it two leg byes and Root is unhappy to miss out on the runs which would have given him his fifty.

A single each to the two batter before Root misses out on the short ball as he pulls but Jadeja comes up with a diving stop at square leg.

13:18

Slow and steady, England rebuild

England 161-5 (44 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Change of ends for Akash Deep. Root clips the first ball off his pads for a single. He gets the fourth ball to jag in sharply into Foakes, who is struck high on the pads as the ball deflects past the slips for four leg byes.

Foakes plays a cracking straight drive which strikes the stumps at the other end to miss out on a certain boundary.

In the next over, Root again clips Kuldeep on the leg side for a single. Foakes uses his feet to smash the spinner past mid-off for a four.

England are 161/5 in 44 overs at the drinks break. Fantastic over rate from India as they bowled 19.5 overs in the first hour, conceding 39 runs.

13:07

Slow and steady, England rebuild

England 151-5 (42 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Some width from Akash Deep as Foakes punches it through the covers for two runs and keeps strike with a single from the last ball.

No signs of Kuldeep yet as Jadeja continues, to bowl the 41st over.

Root has not brought out the sweep shot yet, having seen two of his team-mates perish to the shot earlier on.

Foakes at his defensive best as he watchfully keeps out a maiden over from Jadeja.

No sooner than we spoke, Kuldeep Yadav comes into the attack, to bowl the 42nd over as he replaces Akash Deep.

The first ball is flighted as Root stretches forward to defend and does the same next two balls before taking a single on the leg side for the only run of the over.

'Lovely to see Common sense Ball ..' says former England captain Michael Vaughan on X.

12:53

Root-Foakes steady England

England 147-5 (39 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Jadeja continues as Root taps the second ball into the off-side for a single and Foakes inside edges the next ball and keeps out the last two balls.

In the next over, Root clips Akash on the leg side for a single and Foakes picks one off the next.

Akash drifts on the pads as Root clips it off his pads for two runs and he slaps the fifth ball behind point for a four.

In the next over, Jadeja gets one to turn sharply beating Foakes on the outside edge and he steers the next past the slip fielder for one.

12:44

England struggle; India in control

England 137-5 (36 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Root defends the first four balls from Ashwin before he flicks the spinner through midwicket for two runs and then takes a single from the last ball of the over.

Jadeja bowls another maiden as Root watchfully keeps out six deliveries in a row.

Pacer Akash Deep, who took 3/24 in seven overs, is back into the attack in place of Ashwin.

Foakes flicks the first ball through midwicket for two runs before he survives a huge leg before appeal off the last ball. India don't take the review with the ball likely to be going down.

12:31

Stokes out for 5; England in trouble

England 132-5 (33 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Root at his watchful best, looking to get his pad in front of his bat against Jadeja, who is attacking the stumps.

Root carefully plays out a maiden over from Jadeja.

Ashwin bowls a tidy over, conceding two singles in his seventh over.

In the next over, Root pushes Jadeja into the off-side for a single. The spinner is keeping things simple, just plugging away in the right areas. He has got a few deliveries to turn away sharply to beat the right-handers.

Foakes also at his watchful best as he keeps out the last five balls.

12:25

Stokes out for 5; England in trouble

England 129-5 (30 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Root has resisted the temptation to play an attacking shot against the spinners or hit across the line.

He watchfully keeps out the first four balls from Root before tapping the fifth ball on the off-side for one and Foakes flicks the last ball through midwicket for one.

Jadeja rushing through his overs now. A single to Root off the second ball before Foakes keeps out the remaining four deliveries.

Ashwin continues from round the wicket. Root slaps the second ball through the covers for two runs and flicks the next in the gap past midwicket for two more and then collects a single on the off-side.

England are 129/5 in 30 overs with Root on 27 and Foakes on six.

12:16

Stokes out for 5; England in trouble

England 120-5 (27 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Jadeja starts off with the ball, to finish his over. Ben Foakes clips the first ball he faces from Jadeja off his pads for two runs to get off the mark.

Sharp turn from Jadeja as he beats Foakes on the outside edge.

Ashwin from the other end. The first ball is slightly wide as Root rocks back to guide past the slip fielder for two runs and clips the third to square leg for a single.

Foakes keeps strike with one from the last ball of the over.

Jadeja rushes through his 10th over conceding just two singles in the over.

11:31

Akash Deep takes 3 wickets in 1st session

England 112-5 (24.1 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

In the next over, Jadeja has a confident shout for leg before wicket against Root turned down.

The Indians are quite confident as they take yet another review.

The ball has skidded on straight after pitching as Root is struck in line but there is a slight spike on the Ultra Edge as the ball passes the bat. The ball has come off the inside edge before it hit the pads.

India lose their second review and have only one left.

Root showing a lot of patience as he aims to bide his time and play a meaningful knock and not perish in the search for quick runs.

Jadeja finally gets a wicket to his name in his next over. The ball hardly bounced as Stokes was struck on the back pads and not surprising he opts to walk back off the LBW appeal.

Stokes is dismissed leg before wicket for three as England go into the lunch break on 112/5 in 24.1 overs.

Root is unbeaten on 16 from 51 balls with England losing five wickets in the morning session after opting to bat.

Debutant Akash Deep stole the show in the morning session, taking 3/24 in seven overs, while Ashwin and Jadeja claimed a wicket each.

11:19

Ashwin strikes; Bairstow out for 38

England 110-4 (22 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Bairstow, on 33, gets a lifeline. He looks to defend as the ball turns away to take the edge but wicketkeeper Jurel puts down a simple catch.

He takes a single next ball before Root is beaten by a sharp turning delivery which spins past the edge of the bat. He rocks back to slap the last ball behind point for a boundary.

Bairstow is looking in great touch. He takes full toll of a short wide delivery from Ashwin cutting it past point for a four.

However, Ashwin gets revenge off the very next delivery. Bairstow misses the sweep off Ashwin bowling from round the wicket and is struck on the back pad.

Umpire Rod Tucker is not interested forcing India to take a chance with the review.

The ball has struck in line and going on to hit the stumps as the decision is overturned.

Bairstow walks back for 38 as England slip to 109/4 in the 22nd over. That was not a good choice shot by Bairstow so close to lunch especially considering that they were scoring at nearly five per over.

Ben Stokes gets off the mark with a single off Ashwin.

11:10

Bairstow, Root take England past 100

England 100-3 (20 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

In the next over, Root rocks back to guide Jadeja past the slip fielder through the vacant thirdman region for a four.

The struggling Siraj makes way for Ravichandran Ashwin. Bairstow clips the first ball off his pads for two runs followed by singles off the next two deliveries.

Bairstow continues to attack as he slog sweeps the fourth ball over midwicket for a six to race to 32 from 29 balls.

He drives the last ball to long-on for a single to bring up England's 100, in the 20th over.

England are 100/3 in 20 overs, with Bairstow on 33 from 31 balls and Root on 12 from 26 balls.

11:03

Akash picks 3rd wicket; India on top

England 83-3 (18 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Akash Deep, who took 3/24 in seven overs, gets a break as Siraj is called back for a second spell.

The first ball is wide as Bairstow guides it behind point for a four -- to make it four boundaries and a six from the last five balls sent down by Siraj.

However, he does well to bounce back with five dots in a row to Bairstow.

At the other end, Jadeja gets the length ball to turn away sharply to beat Root, who was looking to defend.

The right-hander watchfully keeps out the rest of the over, not trying anything fancy early in his innings, especially after his reckless shot to get dismissed in the first innings in Rajkot.

Siraj continues to leak runs. A single each to Bairstow and Root off inside edges before the former gets two runs past the fielder at mid-off.

Siraj bowls an overpitched delivery as Bairstow hammers it down the ground for a four and smashes the last ball through the covers for back to back boundaries.

10:49

Akash picks 3rd wicket; India on top

England 67-3 (15 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Jadeja continues after the drinks break. Root takes a first ball through the off-side before Jonny Bairstow is beaten trying to cut the spinner.

He drives the third ball in the gap through the covers for a single to get off the mark and Root keeps strike with one from the last ball.

Deep to bowl his seventh over of the first spell. Root gets an inside edge from the first ball for a single and Bairstow pulls the next for two runs as Kuldeep comes up with a fine stop at fine leg.

He taps the fifth ball to deep point for one and Root avoids the short ball.

Jadeja from the other end. Bairstow slaps the second ball with some good timing through the covers for two runs as Jaiswal comes up with a diving stop to save the boundary.

Jadeja gets the ball to grip and turn as Bairstow is beaten coming forward to defend and he sweeps the last ball for one.

10:40

Akash picks 3rd wicket; India on top

England 57-3 (12 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Crawley uses his feet to drive Jadeja down to long-off for a single and Rohit picks one to midwicket for one to get off the mark.

Another single to Crawley on the off-side brings up England's 50, in the 11th over.

Akash to bowl his sixth over of the first spell. The first ball is slightly short as Crawley pulls it for a four while Akash has overstepped to concede another extra run.

Akash gets the next ball to swing in sharply into Crawley, who nudges it to fine leg for one.

Akash bags another wicket as Crawley is bowled through the gate for 42 for the second time. He got a lifeline first time courtesy of a no-ball but this time the delivery is perfect legal.

Once again Akash got the ball to swing in sharply as Crawley looking to hit through the off-side is beaten through the gate. The ball has gone on to the strike the top of off-stump as Crawley walks back after scoring 42 from as many balls.

Dream debut for Akash, who has taken 3/20 with England slipping to 57/3 in the 12th over.

10:30

Akash's double strike rocks England

England 47-2 (10 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Duckett is content to bide his time and is not looking to attack the bowlers early on.

He watchfully defends the first few balls from Akash before he hits the pacer through the off-side for a couple of runs and keeps out the last ball.

Spin introduced early as Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack, to bowl the ninth over as Siraj is taken off after being hit for three fours a six in his previous over.

Three singles from the first four balls before Duckett misses the sweep and Jadeja is confident about the LBW but the umpire us unmoved.

Rohit Sharma needs some convincing before he takes the review. The point of impact of ball hitting the pads is umpire's call as it is just outside the line of the off-stump. Even though the ball is going on to hit the stumps, the decision stays with umpire's call.

Duckett breaks the shackles as he drives the last ball to the right of the fielder at mid-off for a boundary.

Deep gets his first Test wicket as Duckett is caught behind for 11. He had missed the earlier wicket because of a no-ball but this time his front foot is well behind the line.

A nothing shot from Duckett as the left-hander pushes at one away from his body, as the ball moves away enough to clip the edge and wicketkeeper Jurel completes an easy catch.

There is a massive appeal for leg before wicket against new batter Ollie Pope two balls later.

Rohit quickly takes the review this time around with Jurel also indicating that it struck the pads in line.

Pope played all over the incoming delivery as he comes down the track and misses the flick through midwicket. The ball has struck in line and is going on to hit the leg stump as the decision is overturned with Pope dismissed for a duck.

Two wickets in three balls for debutant Akash as England are reduced to 47/2 in the 10th over.

Joe Root gets struck on the pads first ball as Akash gets the ball to jag in sharply.

Lot of discussion between the Indian players before Rohit takes the review with one second left. It was not clear whether the ball hit the pad first or the bat.

It is clearly pad first but the impact is outside the line as India end up losing their first review.

Root drives the last ball confidently off the middle to the fielder at mid-off.

England are 47/2 in 10 overs, with Crawley on 35 from 36 balls.

10:10

England off to a good start

England 37-0 (7 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Crawley struggling with the uneven bounce and pace. This time he is beaten by the incoming delivery from Siraj as India appeal for leg before wicket but the impact is a bit too high.

He drives the next straight back past the bowler for a boundary to release some pressure and clips the fourth ball for a single and Duckett keeps out the last two balls.

In the next over, Crawley is beaten outside the off-stump as he throws his bat at a wide delivery from Akash.

Two balls later he is beaten again on the outside edge with the ball narrowly missing the edge.

He goes hard at the last ball, getting a thick outside edge off the last ball which flies over the slips for a four.

Siraj continues as Duckett taps the first ball for a single. Crawley gets a thick inside edge on to the pads but the ball falls away from the fielder at silly mid-on.

Crawley has had enough of the plays and misses and the inside edges. He thumps an overpitched delivery off Siraj straight down the ground for a four.

Siraj bowls it full into the pads as Crawley flicks it for another four and the next ball is another poor delivery as the England opener clips it square to make it a ha-trick of fours.

Crawley not holding back! He heaves the last ball, pitched on length, over midwicket for a six to make it 19 runs from the over.

09:52

Crawley gets early reprieve!

Debutant Akash Deep

England 9-0 (4 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Siraj to bowl his second over. Crawley taps the second ball on the leg side for a single and Duckett cuts the next to deep point for another run.

Crawley inside edges the last ball for a single to retain strike.

In the next over, Crawley gets another inside edge this time off Akash as the ball strikes his thigh pads. The third ball again goes off the inside half, narrowly missing the stumps to fine leg for a single.

India have a fielder at deep point as Duckett gets a single to the same fielder.

Akash strikes the early blow for India as he bowls Crawley. A dream start for the debutant!

But happiness turns to despair in a few seconds. The siren sounds out loud as Akash has marginally overstepped for a no-ball and Crawley gets a lifeline.

That was a wonderful delivery as Akash got the ball to swing in to beat Crawley through the gate.

Crawley again inside edges the next ball for a single and Duckett keeps out the last ball.

That was an eventful over by the debutant.

09:40

England elect to bat vs India

England 2-0 (2 ovs) vs India | Scorecard

Mohammed Siraj opens the bowling for India, while Zak Crawley takes first strike with Ben Duckett at the other end.

The first ball is down the leg side as Crawley watches it sail through to Jurel.

The next ball is fuller and moves away as Crawley pushes at it and is beaten.

The third ball is short on the line of the stumps as the England opener takes his eyes off and manages to fend it on the leg side.

Siraj goes full to beat Crawley as the ball goes past the outside edge before he offers no shot to the last two balls.

Debutant Akash Deep from the other end. He starts with a fully delivery which Duckett defends on the leg side and blocks the next ball.

The third ball is full but strays down the leg side as Jurel dives full length to his right to come up with a superb stop.

Duckett taps the fourth ball into the leg side for a single and Crawley picks one off the next ball as both openers gets off the mark.

The last ball moves away to beat Duckett on the outside edge.

09:10

England elect to bat; Akash debuts for India

Akash Deep

Akash Deep gets his Test cap from his head coach the legendary Rahul Dravid. He will replace Bumrah as the hosts make a solitary change.

Rajat Patidar lucky to retain his place despite his twin failures in Rajkot but this could be his final chance.

England have also kept faith with the experienced Jonny Bairstow, who has struggled for runs in this series.

There are a lot of cracks on the pitch and spinners could come into the equation quite early on the opening day.

England have brought in the tall Shoaib Bashir to replace Rehan, while Mark Wood gets a break as he makes way for Ollie Robinson.

Check out the playing XIs:

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (w/k), Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.

England: Ben Stokes (captain), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes (w/k), Tom Hartley, Ollie Robinson, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson.

09:03

England win toss; elect to bat vs India

England captain Ben Stokes has won the toss and elected to bat against India in the fourth Test in Ranchi on Friday.

England, who are trailing 1-2, have made a couple of changes as Ollie Robinson replaces Mark Wood, while Shoaib Bashir comes in for Rehan Ahmed.

For India, pacer Akash Deep will make his debut as he replaces Bumrah.

08:41

Confident India target series win

Welcome to the coverage of the fourth Test between India and England in Ranchi on Friday.

India will secure a series victory with a win against England in the fourth Test but they must do so without their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah against a touring side looking to uphold their aggressive style of play.

A 2-1 cushion in the five-match series has allowed India to rest Bumrah, the leading wicket-taker of the series, for the match to manage his workload.

With Mohammed Shami missing the series with an ankle injury, the onus is now on Mohammed Siraj to lead India's pace attack. Akash Deep is expected to make his Test debut as the second seamer.

India, who have not lost a Test series on home soil since defeat by England in 2012, are expected to pick a spin-heavy attack on a pitch that already has cracks at both ends.

Middle order batter K L Rahul, who injured his thigh in the opening Test in Hyderabad, has not recovered yet but India will take heart from Sarfaraz Khan's twin fifties in his debut test in Rajkot.

Wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, who also made his debut in Rajkot, struck a fluent 46 to prove he is no dud with the bat either.

Smarting from their defeat by 434 runs in Rajkot, England have brought in seamer Ollie Robinson and spinner Shoaib Bashir, replacing Mark Wood and Rehan Ahmed.

The shellacking also prompted questions about England's ultra-aggressive approach, which many feel borders on recklessness.

England captain Ben Stokes, who is tipped to resume bowling in this match following knee surgery last November, has brushed aside the backlash.

The look of the pitch in Ranchi was a greater concern for the 32-year-old as he plots ways to keep England alive in the series.

4th Test: Root's ton lifts England to 302/7 at stumps

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