London, July 10 (UNI) Joe Root stood firm with an unbeaten 99 as England finished Day 1 of the third Test against India at 251 for 4 in 83 overs at Lord's today, after recovering from early setbacks through key partnerships led by Root and Ben Stokes.
Having opted to bat on a sun-drenched pitch, England suffered a wobble after tea but regained control through a gritty fifth-wicket stand between Root and skipper Stokes, who remained unbeaten on 39.
The afternoon began with England at 153 for 2. However, Ravindra Jadeja struck soon after tea, breaking the 112-run third-wicket stand by removing Ollie Pope for 44. Pope edged a turning ball outside off to substitute wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, who took a sharp catch behind the stumps.
India gained further momentum when Jasprit Bumrah clean bowled Harry Brook for 11 with a sharp in-ducker in the 55th over. Bumrah, operating with control and menace, beat Brook’s defence comprehensively to reduce England to 167 for 4.
Root, however, remained composed and increasingly fluent. He pierced the field regularly with a series of drives and sweeps, including a stylish boundary off Nitish Kumar Reddy in the 71st over that saw him charge down the track and loft a fuller delivery past the non-striker. He reached 98 with a fierce sweep off Jadeja, and in the 83rd over, looked set for his century but ended the day one short on 99 not out.
Stokes, too, found rhythm after a cautious start. He survived a tight LBW review off Reddy in the 68th over- the decision stayed with the umpire’s call as the ball was shown clipping the leg stump. He responded with boundaries off Akash Deep and Reddy and brought up the 50-run partnership for the fifth wicket in 100 balls alongside Root.
England reached the 200-run mark in the 64th over and crossed 250 just before stumps. Root and Stokes' unbeaten stand of 84 steered England to a position of strength.
Earlier in the day, openers Zak Crawley (18) and Ben Duckett (23) had given England a steady start, putting on 39 before debutant Nitish Reddy made a dramatic entry by dismissing both in the same over. India looked briefly on top at 44 for 2, but Root and Pope countered with patience and class.
Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant left the field with an injury in the second session, prompting Dhruv Jurel to take over duties behind the stumps.
Score Summary (End of Day 1): England 251/4 in 83 overs (Joe Root 99 not out, Ben Stokes 39 not out, Nitish Reddy 2/46, Bumrah 1/35, Jadeja 1/26)
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