Joe Root slams Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton sitting on their podcast

England star batter Joe Root recently responded to criticism regarding his reverse scoop dismissal during the third Test of the five-match series against India. Joe Root defended his choice of shot by expressing confidence in his batting strategy in red-ball cricket.

Joe Root came under criticism following his dismissal of Indian pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah during England’s first innings in Rajkot. The right-handed batter attempted to play a reverse scoop shot but was caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was stationed at second slip.

The former England skipper’s dismissal initiated a collapse in England’s lineup. The visiting team lost their final eight wickets for just 95 runs. England collapsed from 224 for 2 to 319 all out in the first innings, conceding a 126-run lead to the opposition in the red-ball match.

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They’ve Got One Less Person – Joe Root

Speaking on the Sky Cricket Vodcast, Joe Root said that he attempted to unsettle bowlers and provide opportunities to gain an advantage in the match. Root pointed out that the Indian team was one bowler short at that time.

“People will have their own opinions on how I’ve got out throughout this series and what’s best for me. I’ll continue to play the way I think is best for any given situation. No one knows my game as well as I do. The reason I’ve got to where I’ve got to is because I’ve always looked to improve,” Root said.

“If Bumrah goes at four an over in that spell, they’ve got one less person to turn to under pressure, and we could get ahead of the game even quicker on a potentially deteriorating wicket and put more pressure on India later on in the Test match,” he added.

“It’s a shot that scores me a lot of runs” 📈

Joe Root defends his reverse scoop 💯🏏 pic.twitter.com/vhxg6pNecj

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) March 4, 2024

The home team was without the services of Ravichandran Ashwin on the third day of the Rajkot Test. India faced a challenge with 10 players from the playing XI and an additional substitute fielder. Ashwin rejoined the team during the post-tea session on Day 4.

Joe Root failed to score a single half-century in the first three Test matches. However, the 33-year-old batter bounced back with a brilliant century in the fourth Test match in Ranchi. He remained unbeaten on 122 runs in England’s first innings in the must-win clash.

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England To Face India In Fifth Test In Dharamsala

The Ben Stokes-led team defeated the Indian team in the series opener in Hyderabad. The Three Lions aimed to become the first team in nearly 12 years to defeat the Men in Blue in a Test series on home turf. Notably, England was the last team to beat India in a Test series.

However, the England team went on to lose three consecutive matches in Visakhapatnam, Rajkot, and Ranchi. They suffered a series defeat by 1-3, with one match remaining in the series. It was England’s first Test series under Brendon McCullum’s tenure as head coach.

The fifth and final Test match between England and India is scheduled to be played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala from March 7 to 11.

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