Joe Root played an unbeaten knock of 122 from 274 balls, adopting a cautious approach without taking significant risks, to steer England from precarious position to a commanding 353 on Day 2 of the fourth Test against India. By the close of Day 3, his score stood as the highest by any player in the Test, with India ending the day at 219/7 after Shoaib Bashir ripped through the hosts' top order.
"I think that's how I try to play every game - play the conditions and the situation of the game. Thankfully it paid off," Root said after the Day 2's play.
The former England captain also mentioned that the Ranchi pitch was progressively worsening, thereby increasing the challenge of batting.
Joe Root abused Ben Stokes body under his captaincy
Despite the pitch offering ample assistance, Ben Stokes sparingly utilized Root's bowling abilities, primarily due to the effective performances of his main spinners, Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley, who bowled long spells. Root did deliver an over just before the close of play, but Stokes quickly reintroduced Bashir to bowl from that end right afterwards.
"I think I've abused his (Stokes) body as well when I was captain so he can do what he wants to with me as a bowler," Root further said.
Regarding Bashir, who achieved a career-first by taking four wickets, the right-handed batsman commented:
"He's brilliant. He's great to have in the group. I've not seen much of him or known much of him before this series but he has great character. He's clearly got a huge amount of ability and skill and a lot to offer especially on a surface like this. It's great to see him coming at the batters again and again and he should take this confidence going forward," he added.
Joe Root on his bold reverse-scoop shot
Responding with humor to a clever question from former Indian cricketer and commentator Sunil Gavaskar, Joe Root joked about contemplating a bold reverse-scoop while on 96 during the fourth Test against India in Ranchi.
Prior to this match, Root had been heavily criticised fairly by the English press and commentators for his dismissals using the reverse-scoop in Rajkot. After failing to score more than 30 in his first four innings, some critics even questioned his suitability for 'BazBall', the aggressive cricket philosophy endorsed by coach Brendon McCullum.
However, after reaching his century on a challenging pitch, Gavaskar humorously suggested on commentary that Root should attempt the controversial shot as a way of confronting his detractors. Following Saturday's play, he repeated this suggestion to Root, who responded:
"It did cross my mind (laughs). But on that wicket it's not a great option. The previous wicket wasn't that bad but unfortunately it kept a bit low. But that's how it goes sometimes. Glad to contribute this week - it's been a lean series for me. I was desperate to do it for the boys. Hope I can carry on for the rest of the series," Root concluded.
Shoaib Bashir's spin magic comes handy for England
Shoaib Bashir-inspired England kept Indian batters in check to take the Day 2 honours in the fourth Test despite Yashasvi Jaiswal's resilient show on February 24, Saturday. At the end of Day 2's game, India found themselves reeling at 219/7 as England maintain the lead of 134 runs to consolidate grip on Ranchi Test. Dhruv Jurel (30 off 58) and Kuldeep Yadav (17 off 72) hold India's fort after hosts found themselves reeling at 177/7. Shoaib Bashir ran through India's batting line-up, removing four of top five batters earlier in the day.
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