Joe Root unprepared for Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel; struggles against left-arm spin in nets

England batter Joe Root is putting in hard yards to prepare himself for the upcoming five-match Test series against India. The batter has been focusing more on the spinners in the nets, considering the threat that Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravichandran Ashwin will pose. 

On Tuesday (23rd January), Joe Root had an intensified net session. While he looked against the pacers, the batter struggled against the left-arm spinner, which Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel might cherish watching ahead of the first Test against England, starting 25th January in Hyderabad. 

As per CricketNext News18, Joe Root was castled by the young U-17 spinner V Yashveer, who is one of the net bowlers of England to prepare the batters for Ravindra Jadeja’s and Axar Patel’s challenge. The young spinner troubled the batter in the nets and it made the England star getting frustrated. 

V Yashveer came over the wicket and bowled a flighted delivery that was slower in the air. Joe Root came forward to defend but he found himself short of reaching the pitch. The ball spun sharply and went past the bat to hit the top of the off stump. 

This left Joe Root annoyed with himself as he couldn’t believe how he missed the ball. While talking about the ball that he bowled to the England batter, V Yashveer in delight expressed that he felt good that he got top class batter like him out. Speaking to CricketNext News18, he explained: 

“It was a flighted delivery, he [Root] had asked me to flight the ball. It felt good that I could get him out.” 

Yashveer kept troubling Joe Root in the nets. The batter attempted to play sweep shots quite a few times but he couldn’t play it properly. He mistimed the shot and the ball popped up to where a forward short leg would be stationed in a match. 

Yashveer bowled a total of 10 overs to Joe Root but the batter struggled to get going. The looked in an attacking mood and was consistently giving inputs to the bowler where to bowl to him. He swept good-length deliveries and rocked back when the length was short. 

Joe Root Struggles Against Axar Patel And Ravindra Jadeja 

On the last two India tours, Joe Root has struggled to get going against the left-arm spinners. During the 2021 tour, Axar Patel was all over the batter and removed him three times, and made him look clueless with his variations on all three occasions. 

Whereas during the 2016 tour, Ravindra Jadeja, removed him three times. Joe Root has a great average against left-arm spinners. The batter averages 41.11, much lower than his averages against off-spinners and left-arm pace. But he somehow struggles to get going against Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja. 

But with England opting to play with Bazball approach means Joe Root might have an upper hand. He might attempt to attack Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja, which might allow him to score some quick runs and better his record against them.