IND vs ENG 2024: “Joe Root had a bloody fine record playing normally” – Ian Chappell

Former Australian skipper Ian Chappell is surprised to note that England’s veteran batter Joe Root has adopted an ultra-aggressive approach although the normal method has reaped him rich dividends. Before the ongoing Test series, Root was averaging 60 against India but the same has dropped to 56.58.

Root has managed only 77 runs in the first three Test matches at an average of 12.83 and thus he has failed to deliver the goods for the visitors. The veteran batter was dismissed while trying to play a big shot in the second innings at Vizag against Ravichandran Ashwin.

Similarly, Root was dismissed while trying to play a reverse scoop against Jasprit Bumrah in the first innings at Rajkot. Ergo, Root’s aggressive shot selection has come under scrutiny.

Root has all the experience under his belt but he has failed to live up to the lofty expectations.

“Root had a bloody fine record playing normally, and he was a quick scorer playing normally. I don’t see why he’s trying to change things drastically, and I’ve never believed you should play premeditated shots,” said Chappell while talking to World Wide of Sports.

Chappell added that one must bat according to the match situation and also take into account who is bowling.

“You can’t always do it – it’s got to be according to the conditions and also who’s bowling. Some bowlers you can score off a lot quicker than others, but when a really good bowler is bowling a good spell, you’ve got to be prepared to try and battle it out and think to yourself ‘Well, when he goes off, it’ll get a bit easier.”

“You’re always trying to score runs – that’s got to be your prime aim. But, you’ve also got to realize some conditions, against some bowlers you can score quicker than others,” he added.

India and England will next take on each other at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi in the fourth Test match from Friday.