RAJKOT, India (AP) England was 311-4 against India after big innings by Joe Root and Moeen Ali on an impressive first day of the five-test series by the visitors on Wednesday.
Root scored 124 and Ali was 99 not out. They put on 179 for the fourth wicket.
Root reached his 11th test hundred, and third against India, off 257 balls. He struck 11 fours and a six. It was the first century on Indian soil by a visitor since February 2013, when Australia's Michael Clarke scored 130 in Chennai.
Ali's ninth test half-century, and first against India, came off 99 balls. Overall, he faced 192 balls to finish the day on the cusp of his fourth hundred.
Fast bowler Mohammed Shami went off three overs before tea to treat a hamstring complaint, and came back after tea but nearly broke down again. He didn't go off, though, and had figures of 12.1-2-31-0.
India resisted taking the second new ball, and it paid off. Umesh Yadav got a lucky break as he accepted a return catch from Root in the 81st over. However, Yadav was not in complete control as he fumbled his celebration. But TV umpire Rod Tucker deemed Root out. Yadav took 1-67.
Ben Stokes joined Ali, and they added 30 runs to stumps, leading England to 300 in the 90th over.
