IND vs ENG: Joe Root survives controversial DRS call on Day 1 of first Test

The first Test between India and England finally got underway on Thursday, January 25 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat first as England openers Zak Crawley (20 off 40) and Ben Duckett (35 off 39) got their team off to a good start adding 55 runs for the first wicket off 71 balls.

Their stand was broken by Ravichandran Ashwin who trapped Duckett in front of the stumps while Jadeja got Ollie Pope (1 off 11) caught at slip to leave England on 58/2 after 14.4 overs. In walked, England’s star batter Joe Root who averages a phenomenal 49.05 in India. On just the second delivery of his innings, Root was struck on his pad while trying to play a paddle sweep off Jadeja.

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The bowler immediately went up for the appeal but the on-field umpire wasn’t interested prompting captain Rohit Sharma to go for the review. The Ultra Edge took forever to load to check if Root had edged the ball on the way to his pads. However, when it finally loaded, it showed a spike even when there was a clear gap between the bat and the ball.

Third umpire Marais Erasmus felt there was no evidence to overturn the decision and the decision remained not out. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who was in the commentary box also acknowledged the fact that the spike came even before the ball reached the bat.

Watch the incident here:

"I think he (Root) got away with one. The spike came even before the ball reached his bat," said Shastri on air. However, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen felt that the replays were inconclusive and hence the decision was right. “Ravi Shastri fairly animated in the commentary feeling Root was out but I think it was inconclusive,” said Pietersen.

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Joe Root became the leading run scorer in IND vs ENG Tests

Root was eventually dismissed for 29 (60) as he got caught at short fine leg while trying to sweep Jadeja in the second session. The 33-year-old also etched his name in record books during his short innings by becoming the leading run scorer in India vs England Tests leaving behind legendary Sachin Tendulkar (2535 runs). Root claims the top spot with 2555 runs to his name from 46 innings at an average of 62.31 with nine hundreds and ten fifties to his name. 

Meanwhile, England were bundled out for 246 with captain Ben Stokes top-scoring with 70 (88). Ravichandran Ashwin (3/68) and Ravindra Jadeja (3/88) were the pick of the bowlers for India.