IND vs ENG: Player Analysis: What Factors Contributed to Joe Root's Struggles in the Series?

In the ongoing Test series between India and England, Joe Root, England’s premier batter, is grappling with formidable challenges. Despite England being the sole team to clinch a Test series victory in India over the past 14 years, the team finds itself trailing 2-1 in the current series against India. The magnitude of England’s loss by 434 runs in Rajkot has brought their approach under intense scrutiny, particularly their “Bazball” strategy.

The contrasting fortunes of the series began with England’s victory in the opening Test, but subsequent losses have underscored vulnerabilities in their approach. A significant factor in England’s struggles has been the out-of-form Joe Root, whose inability to make substantial contributions has posed a critical challenge for the team. As both the teams gear up for the fourth Test in Ranchi on February 23, the spotlight remains on England’s ability to rectify their course and Root’s pivotal role in steering the team towards a potential comeback.

See Also: IND vs ENG: 3rd Test: Where Did England’s Batting Go Wrong?

Unraveling the Story of Joe Root’s Series-Long Struggle

In the opening Test of the series, Joe Root exhibited positive intent and a cautious approach facing the Indian bowlers in the first innings. He appeared well-set, compiling 29 runs off 59 deliveries. However, his attempt at a sweep shot off Jadeja resulted in a top edge, leading to a straightforward catch for the fielder at short fine leg.

The strategic move of introducing Jasprit Bumrah early in the second innings by captain Rohit Sharma proved effective, capitalizing on Bumrah’s historical success against Root. Once again, Bumrah created trouble for the English captain, resulting in an LBW dismissal.

In the second Test, Rohit Sharma once again introduced Jasprit Bumrah early in the innings to challenge Joe Root, resulting in a familiar outcome as Bumrah dismissed Root, caught at the slip cordon. In the second innings, Root adopted an ultra-aggressive approach, playing reverse-sweeps for fours against Ashwin and hitting a flat six over mid-off against Axar Patel.

Despite the aggressive start, Root’s attempt to maintain the attacking approach led to his downfall when he slogged against Ashwin and was caught, adding to his challenges in the series. In the third Test match, Joe Root appeared more assured in the first innings, playing the ball on its merit without attempting rash shots for boundaries or sixes.

However, a “brainfade” moment occurred when Root tried a reverse-scoop over the head of the slip cordon off Jasprit Bumrah, leading to his dismissal. In the second innings, Root adopted a cautious approach, focusing on spending time at the crease rather than aggressively scoring. Facing tight lines from the Indian spinners, Root attempted a sweep against Jadeja, only to be hit right in front of the stumps.

In conclusion, Joe Root has struggled to find form throughout the series, consistently registering single-digit scores. The aggressive “bazball” approach adopted by England in the series has not suited Root’s batting style. Despite displaying positive intent in the first innings of the first Test, he fell victim to a well-executed sweep shot.

Subsequent dismissals in the series, including being caught at the slip cordon and falling prey to tight bowling lines, reflect Root’s struggle to adapt to the aggressive team strategy. The English batter’s dip in form poses a significant challenge for England as they aim to stage a comeback in the series against an assertive Indian team.