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In the challenging conditions on Day 1 in Ranchi during the fourth Test against India, Joe Root showcased his brilliance with a magnificent century. His stellar performance single-handedly rescued England from a precarious situation after a top-order collapse, guiding them to a formidable position by stumps.
Steadying the ship: Joe Root’s stunning knock amidst chaos
Facing adversity at 11/-5, Root’s innings became a beacon of stability as he navigated through the challenges posed by the Ranchi pitch. The debutant Akash Deep wreaked havoc in England’s top order, but Root, supported by Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes and Ollie Robinson, demonstrated leadership and composure, steering England to a commendable score of 302/7 by the end of the day.
Alastair Cook’s praise: Root’s ‘Rohit Sharma-like’ execution
Former England skipper Alastair Cook, speaking in the TNT Sports studio, lauded Root’s innings, drawing parallels with the elegant and controlled style reminiscent of Rohit Sharma.
“When you see someone go through a little trouble, it’s always great to see them out the other end. When great players don’t score runs it’s only a matter of time until they do,” Cook said as clips of Root’s innings played out,” Cook said.
“What Joe Root did today was go back to basics. This is a clip of someone with the shots you’d expect Joe Root to play. All the talk about the reverse scoop being unusual, this is a very typical Joe inning. Slightly slower than normal but the tempo and his rhythm of batting is what makes him stand out. When he’s in fine flow he’s got such a nice easy way about him, Rohit [Sharma]- like,” the 39-year-old added.
Also READ: IND vs ENG: Here’s why Joe Root point his pinky finger at Ben Stokes after hitting century in Ranchi Test
Root’s tactical brilliance: Departure from bazball and emotionless mastery
Root’s innings in Ranchi not only showcased his batting prowess but also highlighted a strategic shift in approach. Opting for a more controlled style, Root refrained from England’s typical Bazball aggression, displaying a nuanced and calculated game plan. Cook, impressed by this tactical brilliance, commended Root for his emotionless knock, interpreting it as a composed response to recent criticisms.
“Root has played beautifully today. It has been a very different Root to what we have seen in the series, one who has been playing with control…It has been very un-Bazball, for those who like the entertainment, but very effective,” the Gloucester-born cricketer stated.
“It was a very emotionless Root. It will be interesting to see what he says about this hundred, given all of the stuff that has gone on before, the talk about his shot selection and the way he has played. Great players respond and he has responded with runs,” Cook concluded.
Records tumble: Root equals Ricky Ponting and surpasses Steve Smith
Root’s innings not only reflected his return to form but also marked significant milestones. With his 20th fifty-plus score against India, he equaled the legendary Ricky Ponting. Moreover, Root surpassed Australia’s Steve Smith by registering his 31st century, becoming the batter with the most centuries against India in Test cricket. This historic feat underscored Root’s resilience and prowess on the international stage.
