Root snuffs out India's fight

Aug 16, 2014

Varun Aaron's pace and movement promised a better morning for India when he bowled Sam Robson in the second over•Getty Images

Gary Ballance began briskly, with three fours in his first eleven balls, and pushed England's advantage •Getty Images

Cook was tested by Aaron after lunch and survived two chances as India's slip cordon continued their wretched run•Getty Images

Ishant got rid of Ian Bell with a ripper as India attempted to rein England in•Getty Images

India were sent chasing leather and other assorted invaders on the field. The final 10 overs of the day leaked 67 runs•Getty Images

A watchful Alastair Cook ensured that did not happen though. India tried to get him out leg before or bowled, but that tactic meant they strayed on his pads •Getty Images

Ishant Sharma and India's bowlers searched for the outside edge but they were not forthcoming •AFP

But the England captain's luck ran out on 79 when the M Vijay-Aaron combine worked much better•AFP

Moeen Ali dragged on to cap a spell of four wickets for 38 runs. England's lead though was tipping towards 100, and they still had five wickets in the bank, when tea was called •Getty Images

Root accelerated after Buttler's exit. He looted 69 runs off 61 balls for the eighth wicket with Chris Jordan to pummel India back down and ended the day eight short of a century•PA Photos

Both batsmen collected half-centuries as England took the lead soon after lunch•Associated Press

R Ashwin ended a two-year drought for a wicket overseas with Gary Ballance's dismissal•Getty Images

Jos Buttler's counterattack with Joe Root gave his side a timely boost as the sixth wicket hurt India for 80 runs and the lead soared past 150•Associated Press