India vs England Test series (IND vs ENG): Former Australian captain Ian Chappell has offered strong advice to struggling England batsman Joe Root, suggesting he abandon the aggressive “Bazball” approach and revert to his natural style of play.
Joe Root, a veteran with over 11,000 Test runs, has endured a poor run in the ongoing series against India, managing only low scores despite adopting the team’s new attacking strategy. Ian Chappell believes this strategy is hindering Root’s performance.
Ian Chappell: “Bullish” tactics not right
Ian Chappell, known for his no-nonsense cricketing views, criticized the “Bazball” philosophy, calling it “bulls**t.” He argued that while aggression is essential in Test cricket, blindly adopting a pre-meditated, overly aggressive approach doesn’t suit every player.
“Root had a bloody fine record playing normally, and he was a quick scorer playing normally,” Chappell told ‘Wide World of Sports’.
“I don’t see why he’s trying to change things drastically, and I’ve never believed you should play premeditated shots,” Chappell added.
Back to Basics for Joe Root:
Ian Chappell urged Joe Root to remember his successful past performances, where he scored quickly and effectively while playing his natural game.
He emphasized the importance of adapting to match situations and bowler strengths, highlighting Root’s struggles against Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
Finding the Balance:
Chappell acknowledged the need for top-order batsmen to be proactive, but stressed the importance of adjusting to conditions and bowlers.
He advised Root to be patient against challenging bowlers like Bumrah and wait for scoring opportunities instead of forcing extravagant shots.
Jasprit Bumrah has dismissed Joe Root on nine occasions in Test cricket now.
England’s Rocky Road:
Root’s struggles are emblematic of England’s overall performance in the series. Their aggressive approach has yielded mixed results, leading to both thrilling victories and heavy defeats. Chappell’s advice to Root might resonate with the entire team, prompting them to re-evaluate their strategy for the remaining matches.
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