South African cricket veteran AB de Villiers believes ace England batsman Joe Root has deviated from his natural style due to the team’s ‘Bazball’ strategy.
Joe Root has only scored 77 runs in six innings in the present five-Test series against India, and some of his dismissals have been heavily scrutinized, notably the reverse-sweep off Jasprit Bumrah that caught the right-hander in slips.
In a video on his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers explained why ‘Bazball’ has changed Joe Root’s batting style:
“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.”
AB de Villiers
He added:
“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.”
AB de Villiers
Jasprit Bumrah has dismissed Joe Root an incredible nine times in Test cricket. With the star speedster resting for the Ranchi Test, this may be an excellent opportunity for Root to get back into the running and provide some relief to the visitors.
AB de Villiers on why ‘Bazball’ failed in Rajkot
When Day 2 of the Rajkot Test wrapped up, England was riding high at 207/2, overshadowing the home team. But Day 3 triggered a dramatic reversal. There, England drastically faltered, thereby bestowing India a huge advantage of 126 runs after the first round.
AB de Villiers made an observation. He found ‘Bazball’ a fun and engaging cricket style. Yet, for England, wiser choices about when to go on the offensive were needed. He declared:
“I like what Bazball represents, which is aggressive cricket, but I have said this that I want players to confront different situations and that’s what Test cricket is all about. To predetermine a way you’re going to play in Test cricket is very dangerous.”
AB de Villiers
England had an even greater collapse in the second innings, being bowled out for 122. On this, Ab de Villiers added:
“England just needed to bat normally to give themselves a chance to either draw or chase the total down in the fourth innings. They needed a big partnership and needed to play the situation, which unfortunately didn’t happen in that innings.”
AB de Villiers
The visitors’ attitude would be scrutinized by the English media and several former England cricketers, putting their character to the test in Ranchi.