ICC Test Championship 
India VS England Test Series 
1st Test Played at Chennai From February 5-9, 2021 
Brief Scorecard at Stumps on Day Two 
England 1st Innings 555/8 in 180 Overs (Josef Edward Root 218, Benjamin Andrew Stokes 82, Dominic Peter Sibley 87, Oliver John Douglas Pope 34, Rory Josef Burns 33, Josef Charles Buttler 30, Ishant Sharma 2/52, Jasprit Jasbirsingh Bumrah 2/81 Ravichandra Ashwin 2/ 132, Shabaz Nadeem 2/162)  

English Captain Root scoring third consecutive double century in three tests (Two in Sri Lanka) and the third today 218 added few pages in the record book. He inspired Stokes (82), Pope (34), Buttler (30) in marathon Englishmen batting for 180 overs in two complete days. England has not yet declared reaching 555/8.  Very strong English bowling attack comprising of Archer, Anderson, Stokes, Bess and Leach may cause huge challenges for Indian batting on day three and the rest. England is on driers seat already to say the least.

It was fascinating witnessing Root in Bradman mold batting on and on making Indian bowlers struggle. Taking a clue from him almost all English batsmen contributed with him and Stokes adding 124 for the 4th wicket. Root in his marathon innings struck 19 fours and 2 sixes.  Stokes in his flamboyant style scored 82 in 118 balls stroking 10 fours and 3 sixes. For the Indians Ishant Sharma (2/52) Bumrah (2/81), Ravichnadra Ashwin (2/132) and Shabaz Nadeem (2/ 167) shared the wickets.

One wonders why India played an attack different to the victorious combination for the test. Bumrah and Ashwin were OK. But why Siraj was ignored?  How Shabaz Nadeem could get the nod?  Ashwin has already bowled 50 overs and Nadeem 44 overs. They must have tired legs. England may continue and frustrate India on day three. 

Milestones for Roots: 
English Captain Joe Root has scored 5 double hundreds in tests now. Among the English batsmen Great Wally Hammond scored 7 and Alastair Cook scored 5. 
He with 3 double hundreds as Captain set a new milestone. He scored these in consecutive tests as well. Root Scored 672 test runs over the last three innings. 
Scoring 8467 test runs he now stands third behind Alastair Cook 12,472 and Graham Gooch 8900 test runs.
His 218 is the highest scored by a visiting captain in test at Chennai. 

BDST: 1902 HRS, FEB 06, 2021
SMS