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In the fourth Test against India at Ranchi on Friday (February 23), Joe Root emerged as England‘s saviour, orchestrating a remarkable rescue operation after a top-order collapse. His incredible innings on Day 1 not only showcased his adaptability and resilience but also steered England away from a precarious situation.
Adapting to adversity: Joe Root’s pristine batting display
Known for his recent struggles against Jasprit Bumrah in the ongoing series, Root displayed pristine batting form and abandoned the aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach. Instead, he tailored his game to suit the demands of the situation at the JSCA International Stadium. The England former captain’s unbeaten innings of 106 off 226 balls at a strike rate of 46.90 played a crucial role in the team’s recovery from 112/5 to posting 301/7 by the end of the first day’s play.
The intrigue of the ‘pinky finger celebration’
However, what captured the attention of the cricketing world was Root’s peculiar ‘pinky finger celebration’ after reaching his first century in the series. While looking at Ben Stokes, Root raised his pinky finger, leaving fans and pundits curious about the symbolism behind this unique gesture.
So what did the pinky signal mean? pic.twitter.com/toXhLLessf
— simon hughes (@theanalyst) February 23, 2024
Also READ: IND vs ENG: Cricket world goes berserk as Joe Root returns to form with his record century in Ranchi Test
The real story behind the celebration
This celebration wasn’t entirely new, as Root and Stokes had previously introduced it during the 2022 Edgbaston Test against India. In that game, Root registered a century, and Stokes contributed with figures of 4/33, playing a crucial role in England eventually tying the home series 2-2.
The inspiration behind this celebration traces back to the biopic of American singing sensation Elvis Presley, starring Austin Butler. Presley’s distinctive stage style, including the gesture of pointing out his pinky finger, captivated Stokes, who had watched the film before the Edgbaston Test in 2022. This sparked the ‘Rockstar’ celebration, symbolizing a commitment to turning the England side into true entertainers of the game.
Answering critics: Root’s crucial hundred
Despite a challenging series, Root’s innings in Ranchi not only rescued England but also showcased his determination and answered his critics with a crucial hundred in the must-win clash. Before this knock, his highest score so far in the series was 34. The senior batter’s performance added layers of intrigue to the ongoing series, with a unique celebration rooted in inspiration and a desire for entertaining cricket
