England skipper Joe Root continued his stellar run as he scored a century during the first day of the first of four Tests against England at the Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday.

Joe Root became only the fifth skipper to score a ton in his 100th Test match. He joined the list of Ricky Ponting, Inzamam ul Haq and Graeme Smith. The skipper had made his debut against India in the 2012 tour and also played his 50th Test against the India in Vishakapatnam in 2016.

Earlier, England won the toss and elected to bat, evading the possibly tricky task of batting in the fourth innings on a collapsing wicket. In the first innings England earlier in the day lost Daniel Lawrence for a duck at 63/2, the job of building partnership fell on the shoulders of Root and opener Dom Sibley. The duo together gathered 100-plus-run stand to rule England the last two sessions.

Also read: India vs England Test: Joe Root becomes 15th English cricketer to play 100 Tests

Root, playing his 100th Test, was earlier presented a special cap to celebrate the occasion from all-rounder Ben Stokes. Playing his seventh Test in India, Root now made at least one fifty in each of those outings since his debut in December 2012. The century at Chennai was his 20th in the longest format of the cricket, with three of those having come off his last three appearances.