Ranchi, Feb 23: Veteran Joe Root scored his first century of the Test series against India at the JSCA International Stadium, here on Friday. This is his 10th Test ton against India and 31st overall.
The England batting mainstay in the previous three Tests, had though delivered the goods for England as a bowler, but has not been impressive so far with the willow.
But on Day 1 of the Fourth Test, Root showed no inclination towards 'Bazball', but was in his old self. He was patient, determined and choosy while picking the balls to score. His resilient approach provided stability to England's middle order, despite a few wickets tumbling early at the other end.
In the First Test in Hyderabad, Root scored 29 and 2 in the first and second innings respectively. Even though his side has won the tour opener, but he failed to impress with the bat.
Root's scores in Visakhapatnam were 5 and 16. He could manage only 18 and 7 in Rajkot Test. With India winning the Second and Third Tests consecutively and coming back from 0-1 deficit to take a 2-1 lead, Root faced severe criticism for the manners in which he got out.
But on Friday, the former England captain proved to the cricketing world and his detractors in particular, that it is premature to conclude that he cannot bounce back.
Remind you, Root with his off-spin bowling skills has claimed 7 wickets in the series so far, He got 5 wickets in Hyderabad, which England won to stun the hosts.
If Root gets going, then England can certainly hope to bounce back in the five-match series and even can shock India with a 3-2 Test series victory, feel his supporters.
While England would love to see Joe Root regain his old magic, Indians on the contrary, would hope that he does not spend much time in the middle. Because they are pretty aware that the old English war horse, can surely deny them a series win, which till now, seems very much possible.
