Joe Root. (Photo Source: Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Star England batter Joe Root was forced to leave the field after getting hit on his right little finger in the first session of Day 3 of the ongoing second Test against India in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, February 4. The bizarre incident occurred in the 18th over of India’s second innings.
England spinner Tom Hartley delivered a length ball outside off to Gill. The India batter moved to the front and played with force while Root attempted to catch but the thick edge sailed towards his left in the slip cordon. Meanwhile, the ball raced to the boundary.
“Joe Root sustained an external blow to his right little finger, attempting a slip catch in the first session of D3. The England medical team will keep him off the field for the time being to treat and ice. At this stage, there is no indication of when he will return to the field,” England team management said in a recent update.
England need 399 to win second Test
Speaking about the game, India scored 396 runs in the first innings after winning the toss and batting first. Yashasvi Jaiswal was key for the hosts as he racked up his first double-hundred in the longest format of the game. Notably, the 22-year-old has become the third youngest Indian to hit a double century in Tests. Meanwhile, for England, debutant Shoaib Bashir impressed with the ball, claiming a three-wicket haul. Apart from him, veteran James Anderson and youngster Rehan Ahmed also took three wickets.
Later, ace speedster Jasprit Bumrah showcased his prowess, claiming a six-wicket haul in the second innings of the game as India bundled out England for 253 runs. Zak Crawley was the standout performer of England, who scored 76 runs, including 11 boundaries and two maximums.
Gill scored a century in India’s second innings as they scored 255 runs, setting a 399-run target for the tourists. Tom Hartley was the pick of bowlers for England who scored a four-wicket haul. England got off to a solid start during the chase, with Crawley and Ben Duckett adding 50 runs for the first wicket. England were 67/1 on Day 3 stumps, needing 332 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the five-game series.