Following Australia’s win against England in the first Test of Ashes 2021-22 in Gabba, former Pakistani cricketer Salman Butt compared Joe Root to Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli, saying that the latter is miles ahead in terms of aggression and approach against the opposition.
Even though Joe Root has looked a class apart with the bat in Tests this year, his captaincy has been under the scanner as England has managed only one series win in 2021.
The Joe Root-led side suffered a Test series loss against New Zealand at home and after that, they were pounded 2-1 by India in COVID-19 affected series in home conditions.
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England’s poor form in Australia continued as they suffered a 9-wicket thrashing in the first Test of Ashes 2021-22 in Gabba. As visitors conceded the lead of 1-0 in the series, questions were raised over Root’s captaincy especially after he decided to bat first in overcast conditions.
Talking about Joe Root’s leadership, Salman Butt compared him with Virat Kohli, saying that the Indian Test skipper has an attitude to challenge the opposition and he is miles ahead of England’s Test skipper in terms of aggression, attitude, and approach against the opposition.
He added that Joe Root looks tense when he’s struggling while this isn’t the case with Virat Kohli. He pointed out that Kohli’s intensity while playing against Australia is much better than Root's.
"Virat has an attitude to challenge the opposition, the aggressive intent in his batting is very important for a player to perform in Australian conditions. Kohli is miles ahead of Joe Root when it comes to aggression, attitude, and approach against the opposition.
“Root looked tense when he is struggling and that we can never see on Virat's face. Virat's body language and intensity level are much better than Root especially playing against Australia,” Salman Butt said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
The second Ashes 2021-22 Test will be played din Adelaide from December 16 and will be a day-night, pink ball affair.
