Joe Root scored a magnificent double hundred, as England ended Day 2 of the ongoing first test in an commanding position at 555/8 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.
Resuming at overnight score of 263/3, the pair of Root and Ben Stokes added 124 runs for the fourth wicket, before Stokes was caught at backward square leg by Cheteshwar Pujara off Shahbaz Nadeem for a well made 82.
England skipper was involved in yet another valuable 86 run stand with Ollie Pope for the fifth wicket, before Ravi Ashwin dismissed the latter leg before wicket for 34.
In the 154th over left arm spinner Nadeem dismissed the 30 year old England skipper leg before wicket for a brilliant knock of 218. His innings came off 377 balls with 19 fours and 2 sixes. He also became the first batsman in the history of Test cricket to score a double century in his 100th Test match.
Jos Buttler and Dom Bess added 48 runs for the seventh wicket before the former was bowled by Ishant Sharma for 30. In the very next delivery Ishant sent Jofra Archer back to the pavilion for a duck.
Spinner Jack Leach and Bess frustrated the Indian bowlers with an unbeaten 30 run stand for the ninth wicket.
Just before the end of day’s play Bess was given a reprieve on 19 by Rohit Sharma off Washington Sundar in the 175th over.
Stumps at the end of Day 2- England 1st innings 555 for 8 (Joe Root 218, Ben Stokes 82, Dom Sibley 87; Jasprit Bumrah 2/81, Ishant Sharma 2/52)