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It's been a while since England had a great Test batting line-up, but against a stronger Indian bowling attack than we faced - and also playing in India - they look like worldbeaters in the First Test compared to our modest efforts in December-January.
With three centuries in as many Tests (starting with two Tests against Sri Lanka), the much-maligned Joe Root is in career-best form after a modest 2020.
I think he's now the ninth batsman to score a century in his 100th Test.
Of course, India is still to bat and I expect Virat Kohli will be hungry for runs after seven weeks out of the game.

I agree 100% Arch.
England have looked totally at home against this Indian attack, virtually the same attack that all bar Smith & Labuschagne looked all at sea at even on our flat decks here in Aus.
Root is in career best form atm with Centuries in his last 3 Tests (2 vs SL in Galle before this Test), Sibley looks solid as an opener, Stokes we know is a gun and their bowling attack is their real strength- Anderson, Archer, Stokes, Bess, Leach (plus Broad, Wood, Woakes etc not even playing in this Test).
Early days I know but we desperately need the likes of Pucovski, Green and another batsman to really step up consistently with the Poms on our soil next Summer to support Smith, Labuschagne & Warner who himself was all at sea against Broad in 2019.

Beas, with the South African tour having been cancelled, I hope all those who were selected for that trip take the opportunity to play as much Sheffield Shield cricket as they can.
The poor old Shield has sadly been forgotten these past two months, but there are 20 of the rostered 30 matches still to play.
A perfect opportunity for blokes to make a statement ahead of the 2021-22 home Ashes series.
In time, assuming he gets more of a bowl, I wonder if Cam Green can emulate the feats of Ben Stokes.
Dependent on his health, you'd think Will Pucovski is a walk-up start, while perhaps Dave Warner has one more 500-run series in him.

Arch I am really looking forward to the Sheffield Shield resuming now and with a full compliment of Test players playing across the States, bar those going to NZ for a nonsense 3 T20 games.
Root went on to make 218 his second double century in his last 3 Tests, Stokes made his usual quickfire 82 whilst the Pommy tail is wagging something we havent seen from our tail for a long time let alone against India!

BH always easier for the tail to make runs when the top order guys have squeezed the bowling attack for 120 + overs....another great knock by Root, certainly in a rich vein of form, no one doubted his ability, just his durability at the crease. Rather Joe in smoking hot form now then in the Ashes I guess.

If India bat long, this game could easily meander into a draw....hopefully the last two won't be draws, because the last thing Aust needs is a long haul flight to Lords for a one off test match v NZ... especially with NZ having the luxury of a two test match series v Eng prior to the final, don't fancy Aust or India's chances coming into UK conditions cold for a one off match.

Beas 'n' Freez, by batting into Day 3, Joe Root seems to have adopted the old English tactic of first making sure his team can't lose and then worry about maybe winning the game.
Chennai is warm all year round, so I wouldn't have thought Root would enforce the follow-on unless England dismisses India cheaply.
That said, the To and Froms do have three pacemen and three spinners (including Root), meaning they can rotate their bowlers frequently.
Re the Test Championship final, I just assumed we had to beat South Africa 3-0 to qualify, with that option now gone since the tour has been cancelled.
However, maybe 0-0, as you suggested, Freez, could open the door for us.

Archie that's what I read after that SA cancellation, only way Aust sneak in, is if Eng and India draw the series 0/0....saying that don't really think Aust getting in is a plus, yeah if they sneak a win great, but for me the Ashes win is the priority.....long way to go for a one off match.....though I guess with some shield games thru to March - April is better prep then none at all....pity someone like Phillipe is off to play 20/20 in NZ....a few shield matches would of been better for the kids development TBH

Fully agree with you about the Ashes, Freez.
One isolated Test in the middle of winter will mean nothing if it disrupts our preparation against what I see as an improved England team.
Thought I read that the Shield season might run into April, so Josh Philippe should have a chance to play a bit of red-ball cricket after the NZ tour.

Good posts guys, needlesss to say, i enoyed England's win. Root needs to get those runs here to be considerred a genuine great.

Not sure what has happened to some of my previous posts on this match but seem to have disappeared?

I cant stand the Poms but how refreshing was it to see a bowling team on Day 5 actually pitch the ball up, aiming at off stump and looking for a bit of reverse swing and or a few too keep low!
Something the braindead Australian cricket team's staff- Langer, Paine, Bowling Coach, Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc etc could take note of instead of their brainless, mindless short pitched rubbish they dished up at Sydney & Brisbane on Day 5 vs India just recently!