Watch: Joe Root unleashes left-handed prowess ahead of 2nd Test vs India In Visakhapatnam
Published - 31 Jan 2024, 05:23 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 10:23 AM
As England gears up for the second Test in the ongoing five-match series against India, former skipper Joe Root participated during a net session in Vishakapatnam. Joe Root showcased his versatility by batting left-handed for some time during the practice session.
England’s Bazball approach has revolutionized unorthodox strokeplay, encouraging players to break from traditional norms. Joe Root has showcased his creative shot-making skills by regularly incorporating the reverse scoop in red-ball cricket in recent times.
The English batters executed reverse sweeps and unorthodox shots during the 28-run victory over India in the first Test match in Hyderabad. The visiting team scored 420 runs in the second innings, with the help of vice-captain Ollie Pope’s stunning 196-run knock.
Watch – Joe Root Bats Left-Handed In Practice Session
In a viral video on social media, Joe Root is seen batting left-handed and successfully executing the reverse sweep shot. The footage has captured the attention of cricket fans across various platforms on the internet. Watch the clip for a glimpse of his skill.
Joe Root setting up as a left-hander at England training in Vizag pic.twitter.com/GmabemPrY7
— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) January 31, 2024
The 33-year-old batter, known for his expertise against spin bowling, used unorthodox batting techniques during the 2022 Pakistan tour. The former skipper batted left-handed to counter the leg-spin challenge posed by Zahid Mahmood during the match in Pakistan.
In the first innings of the series opener, Joe Root (29 runs) was dismissed by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja while playing a sweep shot. In the subsequent innings, he could only add two runs before falling victim to the reverse swing brilliance of Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
Root has scored 2,555 runs in 26 Tests against India at an impressive average of 60.88, featuring nine centuries and 10 fifties. The right-handed batter has amassed 983 runs in 11 Tests in India, maintaining an average of 46.81 with two centuries and five half-centuries.
Jasprit Bumrah Is A Quality Bowler With A Huge Amount Of Skill And Pace – Joe Root
Joe Root expressed disappointment at not negotiating Jasprit Bumrah’s spell in the first Test against India. The England batter acknowledged Bumrah’s skill and pace, stating that his battle with the Indian pace spearhead would continue in the series.
“One of my frustrations was to not still be there at the back end of it, but he’s a quality bowler with a huge amount of skill and pace. It’s what you’d expect from a Test match and a big moment in the game,” Root stated.
“I was disappointed not to get through it. You know that for four or five overs he will charge in and throw everything at us. So, 1-0 to him, although 1-1 actually as I got him out earlier. I’m sure that this battle will continue throughout the series,” he added.
The English ace batter will be hoping to return to form with the bat when the Ben Stokes-led team faces the Rohit Sharma-led side in the second Test at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, starting on Friday, February 2.
