India v England: 'Rohit Sharma-like' Joe Root went 'back to basics' for majestic ton - Alastair Cook

Joe Root's magnificent hundred on the first day of the fourth Test between India and England was "Rohit Sharma-like" in its execution, reckoned ex-England skipper Alastair Cook.

At one stage, England were 112-5 as the first-day pitch at Ranchi played havoc with their top order, Akash Deep ripping through the batting line-up with a brilliant opening spell on debut.

But Root, ably supported by first Jonny Bairstow and then Ben Foakes and Ollie Robinson, steadied the ship and guided England to 302-7, ending the day on an unbeaten 106.

Speaking in the TNT Sports studio at the close of play, Cook said the Yorkshire batter reverted to type for his impressive knock.

“When you see someone go through a little trouble, it’s always great to see them out the other end. When great players don’t score runs it’s only a matter of time until they do,” Cook said as clips of Root's innings played out.

“What Joe Root did today was go back to basics. This is a clip of someone with the shots you’d expect Joe Root to play. All the talk about the reverse scoop being unusual, this is a very typical Joe innings.

“Slightly slower than normal but the tempo and his rhythm of batting is what makes him stand out. When he’s in fine flow he’s got such a nice easy way about him, Rohit [Sharma]- like.

“Pure and utter class, great player of spin and he has all the options covered.”

Cook also reflected on the uniqueness of cricket as a game and how much it would have been hurting Root that by his standards he hadn’t really contributed to the series thus far.

Cook said: “We were witnessing a masterclass hundred from Joe Root. It’s a sport that kind of defines and reveals character at the same time. It’s a very strange thing we’ve just seen a champion cricketer fight some demons and play an unbelievably special knock.

“I know how much it affects him when he’s not contributing and the stuff that has been spoken about him and some of the shots that he has played would really hurt him just because he has scored so many runs, he is England’s best ever player, and it hurts when you don’t contribute when you think you should be.”

Sitting alongside Cook in the studio was ex-England fast bowler Steven Finn, who pointed out that perhaps the early collapse allowed Root to reset and play at a pace that suited him.

“I think losing those wickets in the first session around him steeled his mind and simplified his game time. It turned him into having that ‘over my dead body’ mentality and ‘I’m not going to get out because if I get out it all collapses around me’.”

Speaking to Graeme Swann at the close of play, England opener Zak Crawley said that no one in the dressing room was doubting Root.

He also reckoned that Root's partnerships throughout the day helped put England "ahead of the game".

“We were chuffed for him," Crawley said. "We never doubted Joe to be honest we thought if he gets a couple of lowies [low scores] then he’s even more due than before.

“We fully expected him to go out and get runs in this game and he’s just a phenomenal player. One of the very best if not the best that we’ve ever had for England.

“Those boys played unbelievably for that 100-run partnership and then Robbo and Tommy battled really well as well.

“I said when I got out that anything late 200s or over 300 is a really good score and I stand by that. I think we’re ahead of the game.”

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