England vs India 2021: Monty Panesar Reveals Possible Ways For India To Get Joe Root Out Early

Former England spinner Monty Panesar has suggested a couple of methods get skipper Joe Root out early in the ongoing 5-match Test series. Team India has struggled to deal with Root, who has been a thorn in their side so far.

In just four innings so far, Root has amassed 386 runs including two hundreds and a fifty. He has also been the hosts’ top scorer in all four innings, which puts things into perspective. The Indian bowlers need to find a way to get the 30-year-old dismissed early, and Panesar suggested an idea for the same.

“The way to get him out is to bowl at the fifth stump line and outside the off stump. His wicket was planned by Virat in the second innings and Bumrah executed it well. Virat should again make a plan against Root. Root plays the pull shot really well, so don’t bowl short pitch balls to him,” he recommended.

Jasprit Bumrah was the one who took the crucial wicket of Root on the fifth day’s play. Once he falls, England is known to capitulate under pressure. Panesar believes Bumrah will continue to hold the key for India.

“Virat should bring in Bumrah straightway whenever Root comes to the crease. Both Bumrah and Siraj have the ability to put pressure on a batman from the word go. That’s what they did with Root in the second innings and the captain lost his wicket,” he opined.

“Frustrate Root and force him to change his position” – Monty Panesar

While Root is strong on both sides of the field, he has made most of his runs behind square on the offside in the ongoing series. The lateral movement on offer in England could be one of the reasons why, and so Kohli and co. need to make him change his game style, as per Monty Panesar.

“You need to frustrate Root and force him to change his position. He likes to bat with a flow. If the flow is not happening, he will change his position and game plan. That’s what India would want. That’s the way India can get Root out early,” Panesar concluded.

The English captain will continue to be his team’s backbone when the teams head over for the next Test in Leeds.

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