CHENNAI: Joe Root and Moeen Ali steadied England's innings after a bad start on Friday and guided the tourists to 68-2 at lunch on the opening day of the fifth test against India.

At the interval, Root was unbeaten on 44 while Ali was 7 not out.

England captain Alastair Cook won the toss and elected to bat but his opening partnership with Keaton Jennings ended quickly as Jennings (1) was caught behind off Ishant Sharma (1-5).

Spin was introduced in the ninth over, and Ravindra Jadeja (1-12) troubled Cook from the outset and dismissed the English skipper for a fifth time in this series.

Cook (10), who passed 11,000 runs in his test career, was caught at slip as England was reduced to 21-2.

Two overs later, Jadeja could have picked a second wicket, but Lokesh Rahul dropped a chance at midwicket before Ali had scored.

After getting a life, Ali tightened his game and let Root take the lead in their steadying partnership.

India has already secured the series, leading 3-0 after four tests.