England suffered a massive injury scare when Joe Root was forced to leave the field on day 3 of the Test match at Vizag after hurting his finger while fielding at slip and looking in pain. Joe Root was forced to spend most of the time off the field in the morning session and did not come out onto the field during India’s remaining 2nd innings.
Prolific batter Joe Root was compelled to leave the field due to a blow on his right little finger during Day 3 of the second Test against India in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Joe Root suffered the injury in the 18th over of India’s second innings while attempting to catch an edge from Shubman Gill in the slips.
However as England faces a mammoth target of 399 to chase in the fourth innings it would be evident that the contribution from England’s most experienced and seasoned batter Joe Root would be vital for England in the second innings.
Former England captain Michael Atherton believes Joe Root’s performance will be pivotal for England’s chances of successfully chasing down the challenging 399-run target and claiming a 2-0 series lead in the Visakhapatnam Test against India on Day 4.
Joe Root has got a big role to play- Michael Atherton
Former England skipper Michael Atherton feels Joe Root must step up massively as the Englishmen chase a massive 399-run total to take a 2-0 series lead in the second Test in Visakhapatnam. The former opener also highlighted the need for Root to survive the inevitable burst from Jasprit Bumrah when he comes out to bat.
Former England captain Joe Root stepped off the field on day 3 of the Test after hurting his finger while fielding at slip and looked in pain. He spent most of the time off the field in the morning session and did not come out to field during India’s remaining 2nd innings. When asked about Root being doubtful to bat on day 4, Atherton brushed aside the concerns and said England will need the right-hander to counter India’s spinners.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the 55-year-old stated:
“Don’t think so. He got hit during the fielding practice and then tried to stop the ball at slip, which knocked it again but I think it’s precautionary. He will be expected to bat and has got a big role to play because of the amount of spin that will be bowled. He is England’s best player of spin, so try and get through the burst from Jasprit Bumrah as soon as Root comes on,”
Contrary to expectations, the Yorkshire batter has had a lean series so far and has lost his wicket to Bumrah in two out of his three innings. The right-hander’s highest score thus far in the series is 29.
England hopes from a contribution from Joe Root in mammoth chase of 399
Atherton recalled England’s mammoth run-chase against India at Edgbaston in 2022 and reckons something similar needs to happen on this occasion. Root scored an unbeaten 142 in the final innings of that match as England chased down the 378-run target. He added:
“England made their last record run-chase, which came against India in the first summer of Bazball – 378 I think. Root and Bairstow made big hundreds. So you’d hope for a contribution from Root tomorrow.”
The tourists lost Ben Duckett after his 50-run opening stand with Zak Crawley as Ravichandran Ashwin got the better of him. At stumps, England still needed 332 more to win with nine wickets in hand. With pitch on day 4 assisting the spinners , India would like to wrap up England’s innings and draw the series 1-1 when they head to Rajkot for the third test .