Chennai (India): Captain Joe Root hailed James Anderson as England thrashed India by 227 runs in the first Test here on Tuesday.
Spinner Jack Leach claimed four wickets and paceman James Anderson took three as India were dismissed for 192 on the final day while chasing a record 420 to win.
Anderson, who has now taken 611 Test wickets, got India’s first innings hero Pant for 11 and spinner Dom Bess chipped in with the wicket of Washington Sundar for nought as India slipped to 117-6.
“He’s a great role model to the rest of the group,” said Root. “He goes about things, challenging himself constantly and getting better all the time even at 38.”
The England captain predicted that India would “hit back hard” after defeat.
“It is a very good victory but in the scheme of the series, it is just the start,” said Root, who became the first batsman to score a double century in his 100th Test as his 218 guided England to 578 in the first innings.
He also top scored with 40 in the second innings of 178.
Root acknowledged that it had been a “crucial toss” to win and then go in to make the big first innings.
“But from that point we had to follow through and make the most of a very good wicket. We did that very well and posted a good score,” he said.
