Joe Root impressed everyone which a much needed big innings. He remained unbeaten on 122, slamming his highest score and the only 50+ score in the IND vs ENG Test series. Root claimed that he was desperate to get runs and now after his ton, his team is happy.
A happy Joe Root revealed that he was tempted to play the reverse scoop. But he kept himself reserved as he was batting on 96 and the ball kept being low. Now courtesy of his 122 England managed to pile a massive 1st innings total of 353 runs.
“We had a good couple of days. That’s how I play every game really, play according to the situation and conditions (when asked if he made a conscious effort to play attritional cricket). It looks like the pitch will keep deteriorating. I must admit it did cross my mind (to play the reverse scoop when on 96) but it was not a great option as the wicket was keeping low unlike the previous wicket,” Joe Root said after Stumps on Day 2.
Hopes were high on the star batter to score big runs. But Root had a poor form in the past 3 games. In fact in the previous 6 innings, Root earlier managed a highest score of 39 runs. But after hammering the ton, Root is now much relaxed given England are in a good position.
“I was desperate to get some runs for the guys and I was happy to do that today. I have used him (Stokes with the ball) a fair bit when I was captain and he can do the same with me. Seeing the two young spinners perform like that is encouraging for England cricket. I hadn’t seen much of him (Bashir) before this series but he is a great character and has a sense of humor, it was great to see him keep coming at the batters,” Root concluded.