In the aftermath of the third Test between India and England, Ben Duckett came to the defense of Joe Root, who faced criticism for his unconventional dismissal attempting a reverse scoop against Jasprit Bumrah. Duckett, England’s opener, questioned why critics were quick to scrutinize Root’s shot selection, considering the veteran right-hander’s impressive run last summer when he scored abundant runs.
Addressing the issue with TNT Sports and reported by ESPNCricinfo, Duckett praised Root as a “freak” who executes extraordinary plays that many players cannot replicate. He equated Root’s dismissal to the risk associated with playing a drive and getting caught, emphasizing that Root’s mastery of the reverse scoop was previously celebrated during the successful summer campaign.
Speaking to BBC, Duckett expressed disappointment that Root’s shot did not result in a boundary or a six. He asserted that Root had earned the right to attempt such shots, emphasizing the similarity between Root’s dismissal and his own potential fate when playing a reverse sweep.
However, not everyone shared Duckett’s perspective. Criticism arose from both cricketers and pundits, with Telegraph cricket writer Scyld Berry going as far as labeling Root’s attempted shot as the “stupidest” in English Test cricket history. The critique centered on Root’s attempt to fit into England’s aggressive “Bazball” style of cricket, suggesting that such innovations were ill-suited for the traditional format.
Root’s struggles in Asian conditions continued during the Rajkot Test, contributing to England’s batting collapse on day three after a promising day two performance highlighted by Duckett’s remarkable 153. Root’s inconsistent form on this tour, with scores of 29, 2, 5, 16, 18, and 7 in six innings, contrasted sharply with his outstanding double century (218) in the first Chennai Test during the previous India tour in February 2021.
As the tour unfolded, Root’s inability to replicate his past success in Asian conditions became increasingly evident, casting a shadow over England’s premier batter in a disappointing turn of events.
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