I'm a big fan of getting your runs on the board and letting the opposition worry about getting them:
"When you win the toss, bat. If you are in doubt, think about it, then bat. If you have very big doubts, consult a colleague - then bat" - W G Grace.
I understand that a whole slew of people, Kohli included, said they would also have bowled on the first morning but I honestly believe Root was more worried about the frailties of his batting line-up than the suitability of the overhead conditions.
I can't recall many occasions when England have elected to bowl where it has been successful - the other downside being that you will almost always have to bat last, and with England's current line-up that can never be a good thing.
In saying that, England were well in the game right up until the last morning when the long-standing problem of finishing off the tail reared it's ugly head again. I just can't understand why our bowlers struggle to find the required accuracy and hostility when other nations seem to possess it in abundance.