CHENNAI (India): England captain Joe Root on Friday remained unbeaten on 128 despite battling cramp in the final session to help the visitors end the opening day of first Test at 263 for three against India.
Root completed his century in his 100th Test and put on 200 runs with Sibley after England slipped to 63 for two in the first session.
But the English captain said that his side needs at least 600-700 runs to throw a challenge at India.
“I think we’ve got to look to try and get as many as we can – 600, 700 if we can, really try and make the most of the first innings while it’s good,” said Root.
“Those footholes are starting to wear quite quickly. So, if we can bat the whole of tomorrow and maybe into day three then things could speed up quite quickly for us and you never know what can happen from that point onwards, but ultimately we’ve got to try and back up today.”
England elected to bat after winning the toss in the first match of the four-Test series.
Root made his Test debut in India in 2012 and his century comes on the back of match-winning knocks of 228 and 186 in Sri Lanka.
Friday’s effort was his third successive and 20th Test ton and termed it a “very special” knock.
“Yeah, very special. Last night the guys actually put a little surprise together for me – put some videos from some past players, some friends and family. And Ben in particular, stood up and said some really kind words,” said Root.
