Joe Root’s performance with the bat in the ongoing Test series against India has been completely embarrassing as the star batsman has amassed just 77 runs in six innings at an average of 12.83 with no scores of 50+.
Many experts have advised the English batsman to play his natural game and keep the Bazball philosophy out of his mind. Now, former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has also joined the list, criticizing Bazball for Joe Root’s poor performance in the Test series.
Joe Root has faced backlash after he bowled his wicket while trying to reverse a ball against jasprit bumrah during the first innings of the third test. Joe root he has been out against Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling three times in six innings in the ongoing series.
Since the introduction of Bazball, it has not been the same for England in Test cricket. Joe Root is naturally a balanced batsman and takes his time to build his innings in Test cricket, but after Bazball he has been trying to play aggressive cricket in Tests and has failed.
AB de Villiers was not happy with Joe Root’s performance and blamed Bazball for Root’s decline in form. He said that Joe Root was one of the toughest to get out in Test cricket, but now he is coming out playing reverse sweeps and ramp shots, ruining his norm in the process. Joe Root has an excellent record against India in Test cricket, where he scored 2603 runs at an average of 56, including 10 half-centuries and nine centuries.
“When I played against him (Root), I felt he was one of the best Test batsmen I have played against. But that has changed and it is thanks to Bazball. I know it’s a big statement, but those you find the hardest to play with in Test cricket are the hardest to eliminate. And now he’s doing reverse sweeps and kind of breaking away from the norm for him. I do not like that”. De Villiers said.
AB de Villiers wants Joe Root to bat according to his nature
“Players like these (Root) should be told, ‘Listen, just go out and play your natural game. You are the glue of this batting lineup. Let Ben Duckett or Ben Stokes play aggressively. Let Root bat for long.” De Villiers added. Joe Root has bowled more overs than runs scored in this series and his slump in batting is one of the reasons why India leads the series 2-1.
India and England will now lock horns in the fourth Test of the five-match series to be played at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association Stadium in Ranchi.
The hosts will look to seal the series, while Ben Stokes and company find themselves in a do-or-die situation as they have to win the game if they want to stay alive in the series. India need to win one of the remaining two Tests or simply avoid defeat to achieve their 17th consecutive Test series win at home.
