Joe Root was dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah while trying to reverse the paddle and was caught slipping by Yashasvi Jaiswal on Day 3 of the ongoing Rajkot Test.
That was the ninth time Bumrah dismissed Root in Test cricket. England’s star batsman has struggled in this series against India. He has so far not even scored 100 runs in the series. Root was dismissed for just 18 off 31 balls and was the first English wicket to fall on Day 3.
His dismissal was the ideal opening India got and they then made further progress until finally being bowled out for 319. The timing of Root’s dismissal was a topic of conversation throughout the day. Cricket experts also talked about his response to Bazball’s approach.
Joe Root crossed 1000 Tests against India in India early in the series. However, in this ongoing series, he has scored 79 runs at an average of less than 20 in six innings so far.
Despite Root’s poor run in the series and his shocking dismissal ways trying to match Bazball’s game, Nasser Hussain defended the former England captain despite his recent and unusual dismissal. In the process, he spoke about the pros and cons of Bazball cricket.
Also read: “Rooty is a weirdo” – Ben Duckett defends Joe Root amid criticism over Bazball’s approach
Joe Root will evaluate the dismissal himself: Nasser Hussain
“He will come back and be absolutely fine” 🗨
Nasser Hussain defended England’s Joe Root after his botched reverse scoop sparked criticism against India 🏏 pic.twitter.com/NsQEhnj0ut
– Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) February 17, 2024
“Joe will assess his dismissal himself, that’s what makes a great player and that’s what Joe Root is. I said it after the last game where there was talk that Bazball didn’t suit Joe Root. Statistics don’t tell you that. He averages 51 playing under the Bazball regime, 49 which he averaged before England adopted this style of cricket,” Hussain said as he defended himself and responded to critics of him.
Hussain further said that Root’s manner of dismissal and his recent failure are a glimpse of what Bazball cricket is all about.
“His dismissal sort of sums up where we are with Bazball. He will excite and frustrate in equal measure. When he is playing a first ball of the day’s play of an Ashes Test and hits a six, we all jump and applaud. When he does that to Bumrah and comes out, we say what a shame you shouldn’t do because you’re Joe Root,” Hussain added.
Nasser Hussain further said that Joe Root would not be happy with the timing of that shot, especially with India one player short with the retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin.
“One thing Joe will take into account is the timing of that shot. I just said that Ravi Ashwin was not there, Ravindra Jadeja was recovering from an injury and his captain was looking after him and bowling, Bumrah was playing three Test matches in a row and there was talk that he needed a break. Bazball is about attacking but also absorbing pressure. Don’t confuse Bazball with All Out Attack. You talk to the management and it’s about when to attack and when to absorb the pressure, and Joe will look back on that moment with disappointment,” concluded Nasser Hussain.
The former England captain concluded that Root will return to the series with two Test matches left.
Also Read: Anil Kumble praises Mohammed Siraj’s ‘consistent line and length’ strategy on Day 3
