England Test Captain Joe Root Unfazed Over T20I Career

Updated - 10 Jan 2019, 01:34 AM

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England Test skipper, Joe Root is undoubtedly one of the finest batsmen of the modern generation. His name is taken at the same breath with a Virat Kohli or a Steven Smith.

Root has been the pillar for England especially in the longest format. However, when it comes to T20I cricket, Root isn’t quite the player who England wants. The right-hander was part of England’s playing XI for the first two T20I’s against India. However, he made way for Ben Stokes in the 3^rdclash in Bristol which England went on to lose by five wickets.

It was for the first time since the 2013/14 Ashes that Root officially got dropped from an England’s playing XI.

However, ahead of the opening ODI against India, the middle-order batsman is confident of the fact that he could feature in all three formats for the Poms.

“I don’t have any fears about it, I want to see us being as complete a side as possible in all three competitions, but I want to be a part of them. Playing for England comes first. All the domestic tournaments around the world have to fit around playing for England,” Root said.

“Until there’s a really good block for me to go and play T20 cricket somewhere in a domestic tournament, it’s going to be hard to get a string of games to put that case (that he deserves a place in the T20 team) across.

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Joe Root Ab de Villiers — Joe Root calls Ab de Villiers ‘Freakish’ after the South African legend called it quits from international cricket. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Root confident of his abilities

“I’m fully confident in the ability I have in that format. I can perform in T20 cricket. Don’t see it as a closed door for me, but I have to make sure, in the limited opportunities I have, to keep performing. I fully understood the decision, that’s part of having a really strong squad. You never like it as a player, but having been captain myself I know how hard it can be.”

England posted the highest ODI score against Australia during the 3^rd ODI at Trent Bridge. They posted a mammoth 481 on the board courtesy some exceptional hitting by the whole team. Many have predicted England to break their record. However, Root doesn’t look to think too far beyond. He said it is dangerous to think too far ahead.

“It’s dangerous to think too far ahead. One thing we have been good at is assessing things early on a planning an innings. It might be the case, it might not, but ultimately it’s about winning the series and coming out of what has been an impressive white ball summer.”

Joe Root feels England will face a stiff challenge from India in the ODI series despite their numero uno status in the 50-overs format.

“India have been a really strong team in this format for a long time. Ultimately it’s a good marker to see where we’re at.

“It’s an important series, we have played some really strong cricket in one day format and India is one of the best in the world,” Root added.