Twitter Reacts After Joe Root And Dom Sibley Partnership Puts England In A Pole Position Against India

A masterclass in how to play spin bowling by skipper Joe Root [128] and a patient knock by opener Dom Sibley [87*] has helped England take the pole position at the end of the first day against India in Chennai.

Having won the toss and decided to bat first, England got an early reprieve as Rishabh Pant dropped a difficult caught-behind opportunity against Rory Burns on the very first ball that Jasprit Bumrah bowled on home soil.

But barring that, the duo-especially Dom Sibley- batted really well in the morning session on what looked like a pretty flat wicket at the Chepauk.

The opening pair compiled a 63-run-stand in 23.5 overs- the best by a visiting team against India since Ranchi 2017- but just as it looked like India were going on the defensive, a brain fade moment from Rory Burns brought the home side in the contest.

With just a few overs left, Burns tried to reverse-sweep Ravichandran Ashwin, only to get a leading-edge and give an easy catch to Rishabh Pant.

Skipper Virat Kohli in what was a brilliant tactical move brought back his strike bowler Jasprit Bumrah from the same end from which Ashwin was bowling and it took the former just 4 balls to land another blow on the visitors.

It was a typical Bumrah dismissal where he bowled it full and got the tailback into the right-hander. Dan Lawrence was caught on the crease and was beaten for sheer pace as the ball thudded into his pads. It was so plumb that Jasprit Bumrah started celebrating even before the Umpire raised his finger.

Lawrence consulted his partner on whether to take the review or not and eventually decided against it. It proved to be a great decision in the end as the ball-tracking later displayed that the ball was hitting the middle stump.

The afternoon session was attrition cricket at its best. Joe Root and Dom Sibley found run-scoring tough against the likes of Ishant Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin in the first hour.

However, the duo ensured that they got through the spell and then cash in- especially Root who hadn’t scored a run off 25 balls when Ishant was bowling- on the loose deliveries dished out by Shahbaz Nadeem and Washington Sundar.

The partnership soon crossed the 50-run-mark post which Dom Sibley too completed a patient half-century (in 159 balls)- his second in as many innings. The duo ensured that England did not lose any wicket in the afternoon session.

Sibley and Root continued to blunt the Indian attack in the post-Tea session. Joe Root looked like he had picked up from where he had left in Sri Lanka as he compiled yet another half-century.

Root once again displayed a masterclass in how to play spin bowling. Besides dishing out his trademark sweep, he rocked back on the backfoot brilliantly every time the likes of Nadeem and Sundar erred in their length and dished it short.

The English skipper looked absolutely unflappable throughout his innings, stroking boundaries all around the wicket. The inexperience of Nadeem and Sundar was on full show as they dished out a ‘hit me’ ball in nearly every over.

And, the duo of Sibley and Root cashed in big time as they took the total past the 200-run mark. And, the moment that every English fan had been waiting for came in the 78th over as Joe Root, playing in his 100th Test, compiled his 3rd hundred in the calendar year.

Root became the 9th batsman in the history of Test cricket to score a 100 in his 100th match. The Indians took the second new ball straight away and after 9 overs of toil with the new nut, India finally broke the 200-run-stand as Jasprit Bumrah trapped Dom Sibley plumb in front of the wicket.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

A century in a 100th test for @<!---->r<!---->o<!---->o<!---->t<!---->6<!---->6. He has been magnificent. Love how he has targetted bowlers.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Outstanding hundred by @<!---->r<!---->o<!---->o<!---->t<!---->6<!---->6! Third in a row, deserves all the credit, third in a row, looks like @<!---->G<!---->e<!---->o<!---->f<!---->f<!---->r<!---->e<!---->y<!---->B<!---->o<!---->y<!---->c<!---->o<!---->t<!---->t's prediction has sort of motivated him further #<!---->c<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->k<!---->e<!---->t #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g

— Chandresh Narayanan (@chand2579) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

root has really taken those failing to convert 50s into 100s tweets to heart #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Hundred in 100th Test

Colin Cowdrey ???????
Javed Miandad ??
Gordon Greenidge ??
Alec Stewart ???????
Inzamam-ul-Haq ??
Ricky Ponting (2 X 100s) ??
Graeme Smith ??
Hashim Amla ??
JOE ROOT ???????

Root is the first cricketer to score a century in his 98th, 99th and 100th Test.#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Different level @<!---->r<!---->o<!---->o<!---->t<!---->6<!---->6 !!! #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G #<!---->R<!---->r<!---->r<!---->r<!---->o<!---->o<!---->o<!---->o<!---->o<!---->o<!---->o<!---->t<!---->t<!---->t<!---->t<!---->t<!---->t<!---->t<!---->t

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Sibley & Root putting on a technical masterclass on how to play spin.

GREAT SIGNS!

— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Joe Root is playing some really quite special cricket right now. It's February 5th, and he has 520 runs in 2021 alone.

— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Most 50+ scores in Test by ENG captain

36 – Alastair Cook
31 – Joe Root*
30 – Mike Atherton#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->s<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— CricBeat (@Cric_beat) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Most consecutive Tests in India with a 50+ score:
8: Javed Miandad (1980-87)
7: Alvin Kallicharran (1974-79)
7: VVS Laxman (2009-10)
7: Joe Root (2012-2021)

— Andy Zaltzman (@ZaltzCricket) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

This is the definition of playing the ball late and using the depth of the crease #<!---->r<!---->o<!---->o<!---->t #<!---->g<!---->e<!---->n<!---->i<!---->u<!---->s<!---->a<!---->g<!---->a<!---->i<!---->n<!---->s<!---->t<!---->s<!---->p<!---->i<!---->n #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->Y<!---->H<!---->F<!---->L<!---->H<!---->v<!---->T<!---->H<!---->H<!---->4

— simon hughes (@theanalyst) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

New chef at Chepauk. Forgot to add a touch of spice?

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Dom Sibley is like a right handed mirror image of Alastair Cook from the way he picks up his bat to the kind of shots he plays #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

@<!---->r<!---->o<!---->o<!---->t<!---->6<!---->6 is providing a masterclass on playing spinners. Any little extra time in the air, he is playing shots to score runs.. The key is in picking the variance in flight immediately upon release.. Youngsters pl make it a point to watch him.. #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G #<!---->s<!---->k<!---->i<!---->l<!---->l

— W V Raman (@wvraman) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Joe Root has a fifty-plus score in each of the seven Tests he's played in India:

73 & 20* Nagpur
124 & 4 Rajkot
53 & 25 Vizag
15 & 78 Mohali
21 & 77 Mumbai
88 & 6 Chennai
56* Chennai#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->R<!---->h<!---->c<!---->U<!---->f<!---->h<!---->A<!---->B<!---->9<!---->R

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

https://twitter.com/benjonescricket/status/1357604505337135105?s=19

Really good innings so far from Dom Sibley. He continues to find a way #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Between lunch and drinks, England attacked 12% of the balls they faced and scored at just 1.73 runs per over. Since drinks, they've upped the attacking shot percentage only slightly to 16%, but it's brought the scoring rate to 3.47 in that time. #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Last 4 Chennai Tests:

2016 v Eng – Nair 303*, Ind highest total 759/7
2013 v Aus – Dhoni 224, Highest score by an Indian WK
2008 v Eng – Ind chased down 387 in 4th inns (Sehwag 83(68), SRT 103*)
2008 v SA – Sehwag 319, Highest score by an Indian

2021 – 2 Tests #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G Eng – ?

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Joe Root averages 85 against Ravichandran Ashwin in Tests, having faced 438 balls against him. Michael Clarke is the only batsman to have faced 300+ balls from Ashwin in Tests with a higher average than Root, having scored 247 runs for just one dismissal. #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

That's the brutality of Test cricket in India. England cruising for an hour 50 minutes but now definitely India's session

— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Perfect ten mins for India who now get to have a little go at Joe Root before lunch… #<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Rob Johnston (@RobJ_Cricket) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Bumrah's first Test wicket in India.

Kid has the potential, hope he mentors himself well.#<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

England have already scored more runs in this Test than they managed in all their opening partnerships combined against Sri Lanka. #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

This is now the longest opening partnership against India in India in the last 14 Tests (27 innings), since Ranchi Test against Australia in March 2017.#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Dropped catch from Jasprit Bumrah's first ball at home in Test cricket, 3 years after his Test debut.

— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

NRI Bumrah returns#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

The last eight Tests at the Chepauk Stadium have seen the team fielding first win five times and there have been three draws. The last team to bat first and win in Chennai was Pakistan in 1999. #<!---->I<!---->n<!---->d<!---->v<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Most away Tests played at the time of maiden home Test ??

17 JASPRIT BUMRAH
12 Javagal Srinath
11 RP Singh
10 Sachin Tendulkar
10 Ashish Nehra#<!---->I<!---->N<!---->D<!---->v<!---->E<!---->N<!---->G

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1

Just two years ago, Kuldeep Yadav was touted as India's first choice spinner in Tests. Now, he's battling to stay afloat. But he needn't look too far for inspiration. Ashwin & Pant too fought back from periods of self doubt. Stay strong Kuldeep!

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) F<!---->e<!---->b<!---->r<!---->u<!---->a<!---->r<!---->y<!----> <!---->5<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->1