Live Cricket Score, India vs England, 4th Test Day 2

As we prepare for the day's play, with the sun breaking through the morning haze, the match hangs delicately in the balance. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds here in Ranchi, promising another day of gripping Test cricket. England will start the day with Joe Root and Ollie Robinson still at the crease at 302/7. Stay tuned as there is a lot of excitement in the air for the start of Day 2.

Root's innings was a testament to his resilience and class, as he meticulously constructed his century throughout 226 deliveries, guiding England away from the early troubles they faced at 112-5. The afternoon session saw a more cautious approach from England, as they focused on rebuilding their innings, with Root and Foakes adding 113 crucial runs for the sixth wicket. However, as the day progressed, the spotlight shifted to India's bowlers, particularly the skipper Rohit Sharma, who will be eager to dismiss Root and his resilient partner Ollie Robinson (31*) early on, as they aim to wrap up England's innings swiftly. The contrasting narratives of debutant Akash Deep's promising start and Root's masterful display have set the stage for an enthralling continuation of the contest.

Good morning and welcome to the start of Day 2 of the fourth Test between India and England here in Ranchi. After a captivating display of cricket on the opening day, we find ourselves on the precipice of another day filled with excitement and anticipation. Joe Root, silenced his critics with a magnificent century, his 31st in Test cricket, rescuing his team from a precarious position to finish the day unbeaten on 106. His partnership with Ben Foakes steadied the ship after a rocky start, propelling England to 302 for 7 at stumps.

... DAY 2, FIRST SESSION ...

Right then, that concludes an enthralling Day 1 of this Test match. England showcased resilience and determination. They will aim to capitalize on their momentum and post a competitive total, while India will seek to make quick inroads and restrict the visitors. Day 2 will begin on 24th February, Saturday, at 9:30 am IST (4 am GMT), but you can join us early for all the build-up. Cheers!

The debutant and the pick of the bowlers for India, Akash Deep is up for a chat. He talks about being very comfortable on the field today. He says that he was not worried about his debut and was only looking to play good cricket. He further adds that the Zak Crawley wicket off the NO BALL was very heartbreaking for him but getting him out the second time was even better. Ends by saying that the wicket is turning slow and it's gonna be very tough to play the spinners on a surface like this in the coming days.

In the third session, England adopted a slightly different approach, with Ben Foakes in particular adopting a more aggressive stance. The partnership between him and Joe Root flourished, surpassing the 100-run mark. However, Foakes's attacking approach ultimately led to his dismissal, depriving him of a well-deserved fifty. Tom Hartley's departure further compounded England's woes, but Root remained resolute at the crease, defying the Indian bowlers with his unwavering determination. Undeterred by external scrutiny, Root silenced his critics in emphatic fashion, crafting a magnificent century to guide his team out of a precarious situation. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj emerged as India's key performer, redeeming himself after a lackluster first spell. Utilizing reverse swing to his advantage, Siraj shattered pivotal partnerships, effectively halting England's momentum. Jadeja should have had Ollie Robinson but the on-field umpire did not raise his finger and the hosts already used all their reviews earlier in the game. They would be a bit disappointed as after that first session, they would have expected to bowl England out before Stumps.

England displayed remarkable resilience in the post-Lunch session, staging a remarkable fightback from a precarious position of 112-5. Joe Root and Ben Foakes joined forces to anchor the innings, constructing a vital partnership worth 86 runs. Their collaboration not only steadied the ship but also marked the first session in which England remained unscathed, a testament to their tenacity and determination. Root, in particular, showcased his class with a well-earned half-century, ably supported by Foakes, who complemented his captain's efforts with a composed batting display. Despite facing a challenging pitch and disciplined bowling from India, the English duo exhibited commendable composure and resilience. Although the Indian bowlers created some opportunities, they were unable to break the partnership before Tea.

It was a captivating first session of Test cricket dominated by the debutant, Akash Deep, who showcased his talent with the ball for India. Despite an unfortunate overstep denying him a wicket, he remained composed and struck twice in quick succession to remove Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope. His disciplined bowling kept the English batters under pressure throughout the session. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin complemented Akash Deep well, claiming a wicket each to dent England's early progress. Winning the toss, England opted to bat but faced early setbacks as their openers struggled against the Indian bowlers. Although Joe Root provided stability with a solid inning, Zak Crawley's departure after a promising start and Ben Stokes' dismissal just before Lunch further hindered England's momentum.

England concludes Day 1 with a commanding position in the Test match! Joe Root's magnificent century, his 31st in Tests and 10th against India which is the highest for any player against the hosts stood out as the highlight of the day. Ending the day unbeaten on 106 runs, Root led the charge for England alongside Ollie Robinson, aiming to further bolster their already imposing total. While India made early breakthroughs in the first session courtesy of an exceptional spell from the debutant, Akash Deep, they couldn't capitalize on the momentum and will need to regroup and refine their strategies ahead of Day 2.

Surprisingly, Yashasvi Jaiswal will bowl the last over of Day 1.