In a pivotal moment during the 3rd Test match, India's pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah once again proved why he's considered among the best in the world. Delivering a masterclass in bowling, Bumrah added another feather to his cap by claiming the wicket of England's best batter, Joe Root, for just 18 runs. In a daring move, Root attempted a reverse-ramp shot against the formidable Bumrah, only to be caught with precision by Yashasvi Jaiswal at second slip.
Former England captain Alastair Cook wasn't pleased with Root's shot selection and the time at which the right-handed batter attempted to play the unorthodox shot. England were motoring along nicely at 224/2 before Root threw his wicket away. Root's dismissal led to England's batting collapse as they folded for 319 runs.
"You have to question if it was tactically right to play that shot. You've got Bumrah, who is India's best bowler, and Root has struggled against playing him. When he played it in the Ashes on the first ball on day three at Edgbaston, we didn't mind because it was about getting runs. But in this series, when all the wickets have been in the first 30 minutes of play, it was the wrong time to play it," Cook said on Sky Sports.
Joe Root continues to be Jasprit Bumrah's bunny
This marked the ninth occasion Bumrah has outsmarted Root in Test cricket, highlighting a captivating duel between bat and ball. Since his remarkable innings of 218 in Chennai in 2021, Root's fortunes in Asia have taken a turn for the worse. The former England captain has amassed only 345 runs across 17 innings at an average of 20.29, a stark contrast to his previous form.
Despite numerous attempts, Root has crossed the fifty-run mark only once during this period, with his highest score lingering at 73.
Joe Root's success rate playing reverse scoop
Root's latest dismissal came as he aimed for one of his signature shots, which had previously seen him dismissed only once. Prior to this encounter, Root had a track record of 22 attempts and 60 runs from this daring shot, highlighting his audacity at the crease. However, this dismissal has adjusted his average to 30, casting a shadow over the effectiveness of the risky maneuver.
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