YORKSHIRE superstar and England captain Joe Root will be at the crease first thing tomorrow morning, but the visitors' hopes are hanging by a thread in the second Test against India.

Root's side won the first Test in Chennai by 227 runs, but despite this game being played at the same venue, it is the hosts who have dominated on a spin-friendly track.

Root is the only Yorkshire representative in this clash, with county teammate Dom Bess dropped to make way for Moeen Ali, despite taking 17 wickets this winter at an average of 22.

And the England captain could only watch as home opener Rohit Sharma thrashed a magnificent 161 to help India to 329 in the first innings.

That score was considered well above par given the bowler-friendly nature of the pitch, and so it proved, with England bundled out for just 134 in reply.

Root only made six, and was third man out after top-edging a sweep off debutant Axar Patel straight to Ravi Ashwin.

As well as that catch, Ashwin, who was due to play County Championship cricket for Yorkshire last summer before the pandemic hit, took 5-43 in the innings.

He continued a magnificent individual performance this morning, hitting a stunning 106 to guide India to 286.

Chasing a nominal 482 to win, England are already floundering on 53-3 at the close of play on day three.

Root, who is on two not out from eight deliveries having survived a late lbw shout, will be joined at the crease by rookie Dan Lawrence tomorrow morning.

The Essex youngster is currently unbeaten on 19.