The current performance of Joe Root, England’s jewel with the willow, stands in sharp contrast to what fans have come to expect from arguably the nation’s finest batsman. His struggle is evident from his underwhelming stats in the latest series on Indian soil—77 runs across six innings at a paltry average of 12.83. To add to the conundrum, Root has bowled a total of 107 overs, more than the sum of his runs, albeit capturing 7 wickets with one noteworthy four-wicket haul. It’s a pattern that’s puzzling for a batting specialist, particularly on pitches that are considered among the most favorable for batting in India in recent years.
Moreover, the debacle has been compounded by a moment that many are calling the “stupidest shot” in the history of English Test cricket. This controversial moment arrived when Root decided to play a reverse scoop against the precision of Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah, only to be caught at the second slip. Despite widespread criticism, England’s current captain, Ben Stokes, remains unflustered about his predecessor’s form or decision-making at the crease.
Stokes has spoken out in defense of Root’s tactics, explaining the rationale behind the shot, which he believes was intended to unsettle Bumrah’s rhythm. Acknowledging that the dismissal served as a pivotal moment in the match, Stokes underlined Root’s extraordinary cricketing acumen, amassed through nearly 12,000 runs in Test cricket.
“It definitely was a turning point,” Stokes conceded. However, he also displayed firm confidence in Root’s judgment. “Joe Root’s scored nearly 12,000 runs, I think we can leave the decision-making and ‘why’ with Joe.” His understanding of the psychology involved in those split-second decisions was clear. Initiating a shift in the field placement and a bowler’s approach toward him is something Root has mastered over his prolific career. While the execution did not merit success, Stokes believes that questioning Root’s choices is unjustifiable.
“If anyone knows what he’s doing, it’s him,” Stokes added, extinguishing any doubts about Root’s expertise.
When the conversation steered towards the potential impact of Root’s bowling on his batting form, Stokes shattered the notion with uncompromising candor. He pointed out Root’s intrinsic love for impacting the game in multiple capacities, dismissing any suggestion that bowling responsibilities might have hampered Root’s batting.
Root is renowned for influencing matches with his bat, and Stokes even posited that he had underused his own bowling talent during his tenure as captain. The English skipper firmly rejected the idea that Root’s current form with the bat had any correlation with his extended spells with the ball. He emphasized that it is not in Root’s character to attribute a lack of runs to his role as a bowler, further highlighting Root’s zealous approach to any given responsibility on the field.
These unfolding events have sparked a wider debate on England’s overall approach to the game, especially in the Test format. While some voices, such as that of former captain Michael Vaughan, have labeled England’s recent on-field strategies and mindset as ‘disrespectful to Test cricket’, Stokes remains resolute in his backing of Root and the team’s evolving tactics.
The unfolding narrative continues to keep followers of the sport fixated as the series progresses. England’s management of their game plan and the individual performances of star players like Root carry significant implications not just for the present series, but for England’s future in Test cricket. As the balance between traditional and inventive play continues to create ripples, all eyes stay locked on how Joe Root and his team adapt and respond to the challenges ahead.
