England captain Joe Root’s sensational batting on Day 2 of the ongoing third Test against India left everyone in awe and former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan showered rich praise on the right-hander for his efforts with the bat at Headingley, Leeds.
Root has continued his stunning form with the bat in the ongoing five-match Test series, as he cracked his third century of the home series against India to put England in a commanding position in the ongoing third Test at Headingley after an embarrassing defeat in the second Test at Lord’s.
Following the defeat at Lord’s, the England skipper was criticized by many for some of his decisions against Team India, but he didn’t allow the criticism to affect his batting and led the hosts from the front by cracking a brilliant 121 to help the hosts post 432/8 at stumps on Day 2 in Leeds.
Reacting to Root's knock being under pressure in the ongoing third Test, Zaheer said it is not easy to play the way Root played in Leeds after receiving the criticism for his captaincy, saying his performance has just shown his vigor both as batsman and captain.
Zaheer said on Cricbuzz: “It is very important for a leader, especially when his team is down and trailing, to motivate his teammates, inspire them to play good cricket, and come back in the series. So, Root showed all these qualities and also showed his vigor.”
He continued, “It is not easy (to perform like this) after receiving the kind of criticism he received for his captaincy after the Lord's Test. He used the break very well and maintained his form with the bat. Sometimes, when this sort of a thing happens (criticism after Lord's Test), it affects your batting too. Instead, he polished his batting further.”
The way the match started and the first day played out and the way (James) Anderson and the bowlers performed so well to bundle out India cheaply, he would have definitely benefitted from it. Let's not forget the opening stand. In this innings, he batted more freely and was playing his shots more often. The fact that he is well-versed with this ground was also an added advantage.”
The former pacer also explained why Root was able to play his shots freely and score runs thick and fast on Day 2 against India at Headingley.
He signed off by saying, “It looked like he had made up his mind that he will be positive and play his shots because he hadn't come out to bat in such circumstances earlier. He had to curb his instincts, absorb the pressure and play accordingly till now. So, he would definitely have enjoyed this on the back of the great form and a great platform.”
(Cricbuzz inputs)
