Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble praised Joe Root’s performance for England, likening his influence to that of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Indian cricket. Root’s unbeaten 99 runs in the second ODI against India helped England secure a four-wicket victory and level the series 1-1. Kumble commended Root’s composed approach and ability to handle pressure during the match.
Reflecting on Root’s innings, Kumble emphasized the English player’s traditional ODI style and his skill in maintaining calmness and stability in the team’s chase. Kumble highlighted Root’s capacity to rotate strike efficiently and find scoring opportunities without taking unnecessary risks, making him a dependable batsman for England.
Comparing Root to England captain Harry Brook, Kumble noted the difference in their approaches, with Root showcasing a masterclass in ODI batting by adapting to the game’s demands. Kumble also drew parallels between Root’s batting philosophy and that of Kohli and Rohit, praising all three for their consistent and graceful run-scoring abilities without resorting to high-risk shots.
