(Cricket News) The 4th India vs England test is underway at the JSCA International stadium in Ranchi and it was an intriguing day of play with England ending at 302/7 at stumps after opting to bat first.

Ben Stokes won an all important toss on the morning of the 4th test. England started off in a steady manner on a wicket that aided the bowlers. Zak Crawley after struggling in the initial overs, scored a handful of boundaries. He was also given a chance, being bowled off a no-ball of the bowling of Akash Deep, the debutant for India.

Akash Deep however did not let the no-ball affect him. He ran havoc in the English top order picking up 3 wickets in his next two overs, reducing the visitors to 57/3 in the very first hour of the test match. Root and Bairstow then came along and tried to steady the ship with a 52-run stand, but it was R Ashwin the golden man for India who broke the partnership inflicting the 4th blow for England.

Ravindra Jadeja further added to the wounds of the visitors dismissing their skipper Ben Stokes cheaply. It was then Joe Root, England’s most experienced player who stood up to the occasion and displayed his class scoring his 31st Test century. He was very well supported by Ben Foakes. The two together stitched 113 runs to bring England back into the game.

Mohammad Siraj got crucial breakthroughs for India late in the day dismissing Foakes and Hartley. However Ollie Robinson, who is playing his first game of the series joined Root and ensured that there were no further damage for the visitors.

Brief Scores: England 302/7 ( Joe Root 106*, Ben Foakes 47, Zak Crawley 42; Akash Deep 3-70) vs India

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