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IND Vs ENG, 4th Test Day 1: Ton-Up Joe Root Takes Visitors Past 300 Despite Akash Deep's Early Blows

They tried Bazball and failed twice, but England eventually found success with good-old Test-style batting. Jolted eary doors by debutant Akash Deep, the visitors mounted a strong fightback, led by middle-order mainstay Joe Root, who cracked a splendid century, to end Day 1 of the fourth Test at 302/7 in Ranchi. Root was unbeaten on 106 and accompanied by a dour Ollie Robinson (31 not out) at stumps. Earlier, Bengal pacer Akash Deep struck thrice in the first hour to mark a dream debut and leave England tottering at 57-3. But Root's rearguard action ensured that Ben Stokes' men lost just two wickets in the last two sessions and ended the day as the happier side.

IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1 Photo: AP/Ajit Solanki

India's Akash Deep, right appeals unsuccessfully for the leg before wicket of England's Joe Root on the first day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India in Ranchi.

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IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1
IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1 Photo: AP/Ajit Solanki

India's Mohammed Siraj, center, celebrates the wicket of England's Tom Hartley on the first day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India in Ranchi.

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IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1
IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1 Photo: AP/Ajit Solanki

England's Joe Root celebrates his century on the first day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India in Ranchi.

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IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1
IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1 Photo: AP/Ajit Solanki

England's Joe Root plays a shot on the first day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India in Ranchi.

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IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1
IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1 Photo: AP/Ajit Solanki

England's Ben Foakes plays a shot on the first day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India in Ranchi.

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IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1
IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1 Photo: AP/Ajit Solanki

A spectator watches the first day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India in Ranchi.

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IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1
IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1 Photo: AP/Ajit Solanki

Spectators watch the match on the first day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India in Ranchi.

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IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1
IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1 Photo: AP/Ajit Solanki

England's Ollie Robinson plays a shot on the first day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India in Ranchi.

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IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1
IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1 Photo: AP/Ajit Solanki

England's Zak Crawley plays a shot on the first day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India in Ranchi.

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IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1
IND vs ENG: 4th Test Match-Day 1 Photo: AP/Ajit Solanki

England's Zak Crawley plays a shot on the first day of the fourth cricket test match between England and India in Ranchi.