England versus India: Joe Root makes masterful century at Lord’s

England captain Joe Root made a second masterful century in a week, but the second test is deliciously prepared after India’s resurgence on day three.

Just like last Saturday at Trent Bridge, Root carried the hosts imperiously and this time battling his way through a sun-drenched day for an unbeaten 180 at Lord’s.

He was assisted by Jonny Bairstow, whose 57 was his first half century for two years, while Moeen Ali and Jos Buttler got on at 27 and 23, respectively.

Just as England looked like a healthy lead in the first innings, Ishant Sharma removed Moeen and Sam Curran in successive deliveries.

The hosts were eventually thrown out of the final ball of a captivating, entertaining day at 391 – a margin of 27.

The direction of the game will now be shaped by India’s second innings, with the tourists again slapping on a slow and flat field of play, albeit with occasional hints of minor bounce.

Peerless Root is doing it again

England was fragile in that first test drawn and in a vulnerable position if India reached 276-3 on the first day here, but have fought their way back thanks to the two all-time greats in their team – Root and James Anderson.

Just as Anderson returned at 5:62 on Friday, there aren’t many superlatives left for Root producing the kind of punches few have been capable of in English game history.

Out of 10 tests, this was his fifth century in 2021. He was only denied the opportunity to become the first English player to make three double hundred in a year because he ran out of partners.

Of 48 not out overnight, it seemed inevitable that Root would take advantage of the ideal shot conditions if he drove to the point limit in the second run of the day.

Hardly a run was scored on the ground. Instead, it was off-side drives and punches on the forefoot and back of the foot, delicate dabs on the third man, with whips and blows from the pads. He was never stuck and rushed back and forth between the wickets as if his life depended on it.

In a rerun last week, Root celebrated that hundred – his 22nd – in an animated and emotional way by slapping the air and howling at the sky.

There was much more to come, including a bold reverse trip from the pace of Mohammed Siraj, Root remained untouchable, soaking up the applause as the last man.

Supporting actors play their part

While Root stayed to play a virtual one lone hand on the Trent Bridge, The support he received from midfield not only helped England back in this game, but bodes well for the future.

Bairstow went through a difficult two year period of losing his wicketkeeper gloves, being dropped, recalled, rested and ranked for the medal.

He glanced at Nottingham and went on here, scoring free in the first hour. Although he hit his first fifty on this floor since the 2019 Ashes test, the disappointment is that he was pulled out for the second time in a week and this time he had Siraj gloved to slip.

Buttler looked out of reach but felt his way until he was thrown through the gate, while the recalled Moeen’s judgment was excellent before slipping for the first time.

Mark Wood helped England take the lead only to be sacked on a mix-up – Roots only mistake – while the last man, Anderson, came through valiantly when he was hit on the helmet by Jasprit Bumrah during a barrage of short skittles before it was cleaned up by Mohammed Shami.

India’s persistence is paying off

This was a debilitating day for the Indian attack breaking the heat and the pitch to hit the bat on a regular basis.

You might regret the decision to leave out off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, even though it was the man who was favored – Pace Bowler Ishant – who started the late comeback.

After Ishant caught Moeen, Curran was able to bring his first ball to the second slip. When Ollie Robinson was LBW England had lost three wickets for 16 runs.

In truth, India’s opening players were probably relieved that they were spared a test with the new ball on Saturday night, but it is the tourists who will be under more pressure when this fascinating competition resumes on Sunday.

‘We can come with fire in our bellies’ – what they said

English batsman Jonny Bairstow at BBC Sport: “We have 27 in front. If you had said that at the beginning of the day, I think a lot of people would have bitten off your hand.

“We’re leaving tomorrow morning with a tour, a new ball, and bowlers who are really up to speed and eager to make an impression.

“I’m sure Jimmy will come out with the bite between his teeth after what we saw tonight. Tomorrow is an exciting day.”

Former Indian wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta: “India is under pressure now. If they lose a few early wickets, they will be under pressure.

“So far KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja have achieved the most runs.

BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew: “It’s a great performance from England. Joe Root made the way. It was a fine inning.

“Tomorrow should be a really fascinating day. We should have two really good days ahead of us.”