England Test captain Joe Root produced a patient innings in difficult conditions in Ranchi to steer his team to a solid position on day one of the fourth Test against India. According to former England spinner Graeme Swann, Root’s determined knock showed he is serious about turning the series around.
Root came into the match under pressure, having failed to score big in the first three Tests. England lost the opening match in Hyderabad but then India won the next two to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Root is England’s most experienced and reliable batter, so poor scores from him hurt their chances.
However, in Ranchi he changed his approach. Instead of flashy strokeplay like the “Bazball” tactics England used earlier in the summer, Root dug in and played conservatively. He left balls outside off stump and focused on defending the good deliveries. It was a patient innings where he rotated the strike regularly and found the boundary when opportunities arose.
By stumps on day one, Root had made 51 runs, helping England reach 158/6. He put on valuable partnerships including a 50-run stand with wicketkeeper Ben Foakes. Swann said Root knew this was not a pitch where risky shots would succeed, so he showed discipline to see England through to stumps in a solid position.
Swann feels Root understands the pressure is on him as England’s best player to lead the fightback. His half-century was important for team morale and easing the pressure on younger batters like Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes. Swann praised Root’s business-like approach, saying he is England’s major hope for a good first-innings total.
If Root goes on to convert his 51 into a big hundred, it could change the momentum of the match and even the series. His experience will be vital on a tricky Ranchi pitch that is offering something for both bat and ball. Root’s patient knock proved he means business in trying to square the series, with his eyes firmly on lifting the team to victory.
In summary, Former England spinner Graeme Swann has praised Joe Root’s patient half-century in Ranchi, saying the skipper is taking a business-like approach to steer his team’s fightback against India. With pressure on him to perform, Root’s 51 not out featured careful defense and rotated strike to help England reach a solid position on day one of the crucial fourth test, as per Swann.
