Joe Root shouldn't play Bazball - Mitchell Johnson's bold verdict on English batter's playing style

Joe Root was in terrible form in the ongoing India vs England five-match Test series as he failed to score even 100 runs in the first three Tests. However, the fourth Test was the turnaround for him as he threw the Bazball away and backed his natural gameplay to score his 31st century in Test cricket. Joe Root remained unbeaten on 122 in the first innings of the Ranchi Test. England lost the fourth Test match by five wickets but Joe Root was back in his form which was a great positive for the England side.

Former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson has weighed in on the topic of Joe Root playing Bazball cricket. He said that Joe Root was defended by both Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. Johnson reckons Joe Root is a more correct player and is someone who should watch the ball and leave when required. Mitchell Johnson said that he does not think Joe Root needs to play Bazball.

“Joe Root has been the talk of the cricket world with what would seem a reckless shot choice. His captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum have defended it — as you would expect. McCullum also defended the way Root has been going about it in this new regime. Root is their Smith or Marnus Labuschagne. He is a more correct player. Someone who needs to get himself in, watch the ball and leave it when required,” wrote Johnson in his column for Nightly.

“I said this during the Ashes series: It’s not a new thing to be aggressive as a batting unit. If England finds the right balance of when to be aggressive and take on an attack and when to defend, they will be in a better place.”

“Joe Root has been one of the best for a long time”, says Mitchell Johnson

“Again, it’s what I saw playing at first-class level and what I saw watching the Aussies in the 1990s and 2000s. Joe Root has been one of the best for a very long time. I’m not sure he needs to play Bazball, especially when they have plenty of out-and-out attacking players in the team,” said Johnson.

Joe Root smashed an unbeaten 122 off 274 balls during the first innings of the fourth Test match against India. He slammed 10 boundaries in his innings and was brilliant with his patience and resilience batting. India won the Test match by five wickets and has already sealed the Test series 3-1. The fifth Test of the series will be played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala and the hosts will be aiming to win this match to maintain their position in the WTC Points Table.

India won their 17th consecutive Test series at home and has not lost a Test series on home soil since 2012. They were last defeated by Sir Alastair Cook-led England side that defeated India in 2012 by 2-1 but since then India has been a dominant force in home conditions and has not been defeated by anyone. The fifth Test match of the series between India and England will commence on March 7.