Root’s form will be tested when he faces India and Australia: Ian Chappell

Root’s form will be tested when he faces India and Australia- Ian Chappell (Photo Source: Twitter)

Former England captain, Joe Root is in marauding form as the batter has amassed 1,300 runs in 13 Tests in 2024, at an enviable average of 61.90. He has also slammed five centuries with 262 as the highest score which came against Pakistan in the first Test. He is now the highest run-getter for England in Tests, surpassing the former England skipper, Alastair Cook.

The 33-year-old recently stated that he has a long way to go and do a lot more things before thinking of retirement. With that being said, Australian legend, Ian Chappell has exerted a challenge towards the right-handed batter. Chappell stated that Root’s marauding form will be put to the test when he plays India and Australia in their respective dens.

“Root’s phenomenal run-making will again be tested when first he faces India at home and then Australia away. In those two series, Root will be facing the best attacks in Test cricket, and his technique against both pace and spin will again be fully scrutinised,” Chappell wrote in his column for ESPNcricinfo.

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Numerous versions of the sweep shot aren’t the ideal way: Chappell

Though England leveraged the flat Multan track in the first Test against Pakistan, they fumbled when they had to deal with a spinning track in the second Test at the same venue. The Pakistan spinners took all 20 wickets of England in the Test and Chappell cautioned the English to not rely merely on sweep shots to tackle the spin.

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“As the most technically gifted, Root will have the task of convincing his fellow team-mates that numerous versions of the sweep shot aren’t the ideal way to combat good spinners. Despite Root’s proven talent, that will be a very difficult task,” Chappell added.