England debutante Joe Root has claimed that patience was the key to his maiden international fifty, which helped his side gain control of the final Test against India in Nagpur.

With the tourists struggling on 139-5, Root came together with Matt Prior to put on a century stand before the wicket-keeper was dismissed for 57.

Yorkshire batsman Root went on to grind his way to 73 from 229 balls and admitted that it was not easy to score at a quick rate.

"It's not an easy pitch to score on and they set very, at times, defensive fields so you had to be very patient and be very selective of the areas you were going to score," said the 21-year-old.

"I just tried to wait and be as patient as possible and be really disciplined and grind it out."

James Anderson took three late wickets to restrict India to 87-4 at the close of the second day and give England a lead of 243 runs.