IND vs ENG 2024: Joe Root’s poor form down to Bazball – AB de Villiers

Former South African captain AB de Villiers reckons Joe Root’s poor form is down to Bazball. Before the ongoing Test series, Root was averaging 60 against India but the same has dropped to 56.58.

Root has managed only 77 runs in the first three Test matches at an average of 12.83 and thus he has failed to deliver the goods for the visitors. The veteran batter was dismissed while trying to play a big shot in the second innings at Vizag against Ravichandran Ashwin.

Similarly, Root was dismissed while trying to play a reverse scoop against Jasprit Bumrah in the first innings at Rajkot. Ergo, Root’s aggressive shot selection has come under scrutiny.

Root has all the experience under his belt but he has failed to live up to the lofty expectations.

“When I played against him (Root), I felt he was one of the best Test batters I have ever played against. But that has changed, and it’s because of Bazball. I know it’s a big statement but the ones that you find hardest to play against in Test match cricket are the ones who are hardest to get out. And now he is getting out on reverse sweeps and kind of blowing out of his norm. I don’t like that,” De Villiers said on his YouTube Channel.

AB suggested England batters to play their natural game to get the best out of themselves.

“Players like these (Root) should be told, ‘Listen, you just go out and play your natural game. You’re the glue of this batting line-up.’ Let Ben Duckett or Ben Stokes play aggressively. Let Root bat long,” he added.

India and England will next take on each other at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi in the fourth Test match from Friday.