Alastair Cook drew a similarity between Joe Root (L) and Rohit Sharma
Joe Root’s gritty century on the opening day of the fourth Test against India single-handedly steered England to safety after they found themselves in a precarious position. Root remained unbeaten on 106 runs at the close of play, showcasing a classical Test innings crafted over 226 deliveries. His partnership with Ollie Robinson, who contributed 26 runs, helped England recover from the early setbacks caused by Akash Deep’s impressive bowling.
England was struggling at 112-5 as debutant Akash Deep wreaked havoc, picking up three wickets in a brilliant opening spell, with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja adding to the pressure. However, Root, supported first by Ben Foakes and then by Robinson, orchestrated a remarkable recovery, guiding England to a total of 302/7.
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Former England captain Alastair Cook praised Root’s outstanding performance under pressure, stating that Root returned to his basics to regain his form. Cook also drew a parallel between Root and Indian captain Rohit Sharma, highlighting Root’s ability to adapt and excel.
“When you see someone face challenges, it’s always satisfying to see them come out on top. When great players face a slump, it’s only a matter of time until they bounce back,” Cook remarked to TNT Sport.
“What Joe Root did today was revert to basics. This innings showcased shots you’d expect from Joe Root. Despite the talk about unconventional shots, this inning was very typical of him. It was slightly slower than usual, but his batting tempo and rhythm are what set him apart. When he’s in form, he exudes elegance and ease, reminiscent of Rohit Sharma. Root’s mastery against spin and his diverse shot selection makes him a class act.”
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Root had faced criticism for his recent performances in the series, marked by unusual dismissals adhering to the Bazball philosophy. However, his remarkable century in the fourth Test signifies a return to form after registering modest scores in the preceding matches, including scores of 29, 2, 5, 16, 18, and 7 across three Tests against India.
In particular, Root’s dismissal in the first innings of the third Test in Rajkot, where he attempted a reverse-ramp shot against Jasprit Bumrah, attracted significant attention. His departure triggered a collapse in England’s batting order, resulting in their largest defeat by runs under Ben Stokes’ captaincy.
