Ind vs Eng, 5th Test Day 1: England lose Root after fighting 88

Chennai: Half-centuries from Joe Root and Moeen Ali revived the England innings after early strikes by Indian bowlers on the opening day of the fifth and final Test in Chennai on Friday.

Root, who hit a defiant 88 before missing out on his second century of the series, put on 146 runs with Ali (63 not out) after the visitors elected to bat first.

England, who lost both its openers in the first hour of play, were 182 for three at tea with Ali and Jonny Bairstow (10) at the crease.

In-form Root, who completed his fourth 50 of the series post lunch, piloted the innings after the fall of Keaton Jennings (1) and skipper Alastair Cook (10).

Root started off patiently but soon took the attack to the opposition bowlers as he smashed 10 boundaries before being caught behind off Ravindra Jadeja.

Root was given not out by the on-field umpire but India successfully reviewed the decision after a disturbance in the snicko suggested the ball had grazed the bat before going into the keeper's glove.

Root though did not seem happy with the call as he dejectedly walked back to the pavilion.

Ali, who recorded his 10th Test half century, showed grit during his controlled knock as he now looks to carry on the good work with Bairstow.

Earlier Ishant Sharma, back in action after recovering from an illness, struck first for the hosts on a moisture-laden pitch following a cyclone earlier in the week.

The lanky fast bowler got Jennings, who impressed on debut with a century at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, caught behind for one.

England's all-time leading run-scorer Cook got past the 11,000-run mark on the first ball of the match, but he quickly fell to Jadeja.