English captain Joe Root has scored a century in his 100th Test game. England are way ahead after the opening day of play and the Indian team will be looking to bowl out England before the second session.
“Very special [playing the 100th Test]. Last night, the guys put up a nice, little surprise for me. Got some videos from past players, friends and family and Ben [Stokes] in particular stood up and said really kind words. Then, to come today and for us to start the series in the way we have couldn’t have gone any better. We had a little blip in the end. We hope we can build on that [start] tomorrow,” Root said after the first day’s play.
When asked on Ben Stokes in his post-match press conference Joe Root said that Stokes inspired him and there is a very good connection between two of them.
“It did [inspire me]. But I think it should stay between the two of us. Ben is a fine human being. It was nice of him to say some really special things. I will be a friend of him,” he said. “Guys had made it really special. I really appreciate it. It has been an amazing two days. You know if we can make this brilliant start count and build on it…”
“I was a little bit emotional. I couldn’t even remember our team when he [the commentator] asked me about it. I was a little bit all over the place. But, thankfully, when I went there, I knew it was business as normal. I had a job to do. I did it,” Root said after the day’s play.
