Joe Root. (Photo Source: X(Twitter/willis_macp)
Veteran batter and former England skipper Joe Root has seemingly taken the ‘Bazball’ bandwagon to another level. The world-class batter who is also considered among the ‘big four’ batters of modern world cricket was seen displaying his outrageous skills of playing sweep shots though in a switch-hit stance in Vizag during the net session. Hence, often questions are darted in fans’ minds whether Root is equally adept as a left-hander.
Notably, the prolific batter was spotted taking a left-hander’s stance during the net session but was found practising the conventional sweep shot as he switched back to his usual stance the moment the ball was delivered to him. Hence, this was a rather unusual way of practicing a sweep shot which Joe Root decided to attempt especially in Indian conditions ahead of the much-awaited Vizag Test. However, Root looked off-colour during his first two outings with the bat in the ongoing Test series between India and England as he got out cheaply for scores of 29 and 2.
Joe Root setting up as a left-hander at England training in Vizag pic.twitter.com/GmabemPrY7
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) January 31, 2024
How does Joe Root fare in India as a bowler?
The veteran England legend Joe Root is often regarded as a ‘Golden arm’ of the team especially when other bowlers have a poor outing with the ball in dismissing or troubling the opposition. When it comes to India, Root surely likes bowling in the spinning conditions the sub-continent region provides which is a dream for any regular spinner. Speaking of the first Test of the series, Root proved to be the best spinner of the side as he chipped with crucial breakthroughs which the visitors needed.
Firstly, during the first innings of the Hyderabad Test, Joe Root took a four-wicket haul by conceding 79 runs. As a result, Team India who at one stage were looking set to build up a mammoth total, failed to capitalize further and got restricted to 436 runs. Notably, the willy off-spinner dismissed (Leg Before Wicket-LBW) Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on 87 and shortly after left Jasprit Bumrah stunned with an absolute beauty.
Thereafter in the second innings, he dismissed the on-song India batter KL Rahul to make the run chase way harder for the hosts, which eventually contributed to England’s historic first Test win in Hyderabad. Hence, Joe Root will be itching to be among the runs with the bat when he takes the field in the second Test at Vizag. Talking of Root’s bowling analysis, the off-spinner has 13 victims to his name from as many innings in 11 matches with a decent average of 24.84. Moreover, Root also has a 5-wicket haul to his name as well.
Besides, recently, legend England pacer James Anderson was spotted showing his surreal bowling skills as a left-arm spinner during a net session during the Hyderabad Test. Therefore, Bazball fever has surely gripped all the fans and cricket experts alike and it will be interesting to see whether Team India will bounce back in the Test series in Vizag.