England skipper Ben Stokes has backed Joe Root despite his underwhelming performances in the ongoing five-match Test series against India. Ben Stokes stated that he trusts Joe Root’s batting abilities, acknowledging his extensive experience and impressive record.
Joe Root’s performance has been disappointing in the first three Tests against India. He managed just 77 runs across six innings, with a highest score of only 29. The former England captain came under criticism for his shot selection during the third Test match.
In the Rajkot Test, the right-handed batter fell for 18 runs in the first innings. He was caught at second slip off Jasprit Bumrah while attempting a reverse scoop. His dismissal led to a batting collapse, with the visitors losing eight wickets for 95 runs in quick succession.
Joe Root’s Scored Nearly 12,000 Runs – Ben Stokes
After England’s significant defeat in Rajkot, Ben Stokes addressed criticism regarding Joe Root’s shot selections in the first innings, suggesting that it proved to be the turning point of the match. However, the skipper refrained from questioning Root’s shot selection.
“Yeah, because [Root] he got out to it [reverse scoop], it definitely was a turning point,” Stokes was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
“Joe Root’s scored nearly 12,000 runs, I think we can leave the decision-making and ‘why’ with Joe. I can understand why there would be frustration around that because of how good a player Joe is,” he added.
England suffered one of their heaviest defeats in Tests, falling short by 434 runs against India. The visiting team tumbled from 224-2 to 319 on the third day of the match. The Rohit Sharma-led side capitalized on a 126-run lead, sealing a commanding victory in Rajkot.
Joe Root Was Looking Really Really Good At The Crease – Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes defended Joe Root‘s unconventional shot against Jasprit Bumrah, suggesting it was a strategic move to unsettle the bowler’s rhythm and force tactical adjustments from the opposition.
“Jasprit Bumrah has got him out a couple of times this tour early on. And I thought Joe was looking really, really good at the crease, and he sensed that as a time to put something different back onto Jasprit and make him maybe think about something. Because what that shot does for Joe is it makes fields change, makes bowlers’ mindset change towards him,” Stokes further stated.
“He got out to it, and it’s not a shot you necessarily see Test match players playing. But look, who am I to question a guy who has 30 Test match hundreds, nearly 12,000 Test match runs? I think he knows what he’s doing.”
Despite his batting failures, Root has made valuable contributions as a part-time bowler and has taken seven wickets across six innings. His standout performance came in England’s victory in Hyderabad, where he claimed figures of 4/79.
The upcoming match between England and India will commence on February 23 at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. The England team currently trails 1-2 in the ongoing five-match series in the subcontinent nation.
