While Kohli was the highest scorer on the 2018 tour with a staggering 593 runs, the 32-year-old has managed to score a meager 124 runs at an average of 24.80 in the three Tests thus far. His manner of dismissals – nicking balls outside the off-stump – has been particularly alarming, and Joe Root lavished praise on his bowlers for the same.
After the incredible victory at Lord’s, England bounced back comprehensively to win the third Test at Leeds by an innings and 76 runs.
“There’s no right way to bat” – Joe Root downplays India’s approach to play off the front foot
India have now suffered two successive batting collapses. Virat Kohli’s boys were skittled for an embarrassing 78 in the first innings of the Headingley Test. In the second essay, they did put on a stellar show by marching to 237 for 3 before Joe Root’s bowlers snuffed out the last 7 wickets for 41 runs.
On the one hand, the English batsmen – and Joe Root in particular – have highlighted the art of batsmanship in England by playing off the back foot and square of the wicket. The tourists, on the other hand, have tended to remain on the front foot, thus keeping the slip cordon busy.
Asked if not taking a leaf out of England’s batting book has brought about India’s downfall, Joe Root opined there’s no right way to batting. But he did speak highly of their own batting heroics and claimed they’d look to repeat the same in London.
With the series level 1-1, there will be everything to play for when Virat Kohli and Joe Root walk out for the toss at The Oval on Thursday (September 2).
0 votes
