ENG vs IND 2018: Joe Root Backs Adil Rashid's Shock Recall to Test Squad Against India

The England leg-spinner, Adil Rashid found his name on the 13-man Test squad for the first Test against India, starting August 1st.

However, Adil Rashid’s inclusion did not sit well with many former captains like Michael Vaughan and Nasser Hussain. But Ed Smith made it open that England captain Joe Root was entirely in support of the controversial decision.

The national selector of England, Ed Smith, cleared his stand on Adil Rashid saying he didn’t take the call off his own.

He said the English captain, Joe Root was taken into consideration before giving him a Test nod.

Michael Vaughan criticises Ed Smith

Rashid’s sudden selection in the Test squad attracted fierce criticism from many of his fellow cricketers.

Meanwhile, the leggie got a Test recall after facing 18 month’s Test cricket exile and Michael Vaughan, the former England skipper, labeled this decision as “ridiculous.”

“We are fully aware of the summer we are having and the likelihood that the pitches are going to turn,” Smith told reporters at The Oval after a squad announcement.

Ed Smith faced some heat on Adil Rashid

Meanwhile, his selection came after his recent performance in the limited-overs format. He recently bowled an unplayable delivery that castled Virat Kohli and made him speechless.

Many British media houses termed that delivery as new “ball of the century.” Also, the national selector of England, Ed Smith, said,

“In the event of needing two spinners, how would we get people into the side who turn the ball in different directions?”

“In that context is obviously Adil’s form in white-ball cricket. his confidence, his touch.

The fact that he has evolved so much as a bowler and is in the form of his life.”

“The decision was a unanimous one. The decision-makers being myself, James Taylor and coach Trevor Bayliss. It was also round that table was Joe Root.”