Joe Root answers critics with century as England fight back in Ranchi

Joe Root struck an unbeaten 106 to lead England's recovery after Indian fast bowler Akash Deep took three early wickets on debut in the fourth Test on Friday.

England, who are 2-1 down in the five-Test series, finished the day on 302-7 after winning the toss and electing to bat first in Ranchi.

The tourists then slipped to 112-5 but Root, with just 77 runs across his previous six innings and under fire for the cavalier nature of some of his dismissals, found form to put on a 113-run stand with wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Foakes, who made 47.

Mohammed Siraj broke the partnership with the wicket of Foakes but Root held firm and had Ollie Robinson, on 31, for company in an unbeaten stand of 57 at stumps.

Root's 31st Test ton came after a wave of criticism after he failed with a reverse scoop as England collapsed and lost the third Test in Rajkot.

England opener Zak Crawley, who made 42, was full of praise for his teammate's efforts.

Crawley told TNT Sports: “We’re so happy for him and we never doubted him. If anything we know that when he’s got a couple of low scores he’s even more likely to get the big one, and we expected that from him.

“He’s phenomenal, and he’s one of, if not the best we’ve ever had playing for England.”

Thirty-one Test centuries.
Approaching 12,000 Test runs.
The most Test hundreds against India.

He knows what he's doing