Stokes, playing the aggressor’s role in the partnership, reached his half-century of 71 deliveries.
Stokes walked out to bat on the second morning after Dom Sibley had been dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah at the end of Day 1 and took the attack to the Indian spinners, taking a special liking to Shahbaz Nadeem.
A tired and demoralised India went wicketless in the morning session as England’s batsmen added 92 runs.
After the breather, Root continued to chip away even as Virat Kohli brought on Bumrah in the hunt for wickets. However, it was Shahbaz Nadeem who gave India their first breakthrough of the day when Stokes, inching closer to his century, went for one big hit too many and holed out to Cheteshwar Pujara at fine leg for 82.
The southpaw smashed 10 fours and 3 maximums during his 118-ball knock.
Root and Stokes put on 124 runs for the fourth wicket to keep England on track for a massive first innings total in Chennai.
Earlier, on Day 1, Root had won a good toss and opted to bat first…